The Village of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin

Pioneer settlement came to the Kickapoo River Valley in the first half of the 19th century. Much of the land around present day Soldiers Grove had been deeded to veterans of early US wars. Pine Grove was the original name given to the village, because of the large local groves of white pines. The name was changed to Soldiers Grove in 1867 to honor the soldiers who had camped here during the 1832 Blackhawk War.

The first building in the village was a sawmill built by J.H. Brightman in 1856. Early farmers grew wheat, but during the late 1800’s the switch to dairy farming was well underway. The 20th century saw the rise and decline of the family dairy farm. The ridge tops between Gays Mills and Soldiers Grove proved ideal for apple trees and many orchards continue to thrive today. Local orchards have added cherries and various berries to their commercial plantings. Customers line up from late June until Christmas to purchase the delicious produce of the area.

The history of Soldiers Grove is filled with stories of Kickapoo River floods. A final devastating flood in 1978 led to complete abandonment of the business district of Soldiers Grove. With the help of Federal and State funding the businesses were relocated to higher ground one mile east of the original business district. The funding was contingent on incorporation of passive solar heating systems in all new commercial buildings. Thus “Solar Town” Soldiers Grove was born.

The old business area was provided with better dikes and then converted completely into public areas: sports fields, playgrounds, camping area, and tennis courts. On every Father’s Day weekend this lovely public area of the village is home to Soldiers Grove Dairy Days, a great summer weekend of music, tractor pulls, food, and sporting events.

Today Soldiers Grove is a modern village that is home to about 650 enterprising, outdoors-oriented residents. The area provides breathtaking scenery and outstanding opportunities to hunt, fish, canoe, and hike. Please visit with us for an hour or week. Our local restaurants, lodging, shops, and services will make your visit a pleasant one.

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