La Crosse Eagle (Gone)
La Crosse, WI
Photo courtesy Dave Pophal

Another huge roadside eye-catcher is The Eagle Landmark Sculpture in Riverside Park. Rising high above the Mississippi River, the giant bald eagle has been watching over La Crosse for decades. With its wings spread and a fish clutched in its talons, it's a fitting symbol for a river town.

The 38-foot sculpture was installed in 1987 and was designed by local artist Elmer Petersen. One of its most interesting features is the use of different types of steel, allowing the eagle's head and tail to naturally remain light while the rest of the body weathers to a darker finish.

Whether you're walking through Riverside Park or simply driving along the river, it's hard to miss. It's one of those landmarks that naturally draws people over for a closer look—and, of course, a photo.

UPDATE: The eagle is currently off-site while it undergoes a major rebuilding project after years of weather exposure. Fortunately, the original head and tail are being preserved, and the giant bird is expected to return to its longtime home in Riverside Park. 07-26

"Buffalo" ... Buffalo Spirit Lodge (Demolished)
Merrill, WI
Photo courtesy Dave Pophal

Here's a herd that didn't need much fencing. The buffalo figures outside Buffalo Spirit Village north of Merrill, Wisconsin, gave Highway 51 travelers a reason to look twice. Their lifelike appearance made the roadside stop easy to recognize before reaching the driveway.

The property combined fuel, food, a convenience store, and a gift shop, offering several reasons to pull over during a Northwoods trip. The buffalo supplied the finishing touch, turning an ordinary travel stop into something motorists remembered. The business reportedly reopened after a 2009 fire, but later highway changes made access less convenient.

UPDATE: Buffalo Spirit Village has been demolished, and the buffalo figures have been removed. Their whereabouts remain uncertain. Hopefully, the herd found another home where it can keep surprising passing motorists. 07-26

"Poor Old Woman..."
Madison, WI
Photo courtesy Dave Pophal

Here's a shoe built for considerably more than walking. The Old Woman in a Shoe Slide at Madison's Vilas Park turns the familiar nursery rhyme into playground equipment. Children climb inside the oversized boot before sliding out through the toe.

Built in 1962, the shoe was a gift from local tradespeople. Members of Lathers Local 111 constructed the metal framework, while Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 204 finished its exterior. Warren Walder oversaw the project, which honored fellow tradesman George Morrell. That's quite a bit of craftsmanship tucked into a playground attraction.

UPDATE: The shoe remains a familiar part of Vilas Park, entertaining children more than six decades after its construction. Its colorful storybook design has outlasted generations of playground trends, proving that a giant boot can still hold its own. 07-26

St. Germain Chamber of Commerce
St. Germain, WI
Photo courtesy Dave Pophal

Standing outside the Chamber of Commerce, Chief St. Germain has been welcoming visitors to the Northwoods for generations. Whether you're heading toward the lakes or just passing through town, he's one of the first landmarks you'll notice.

The original statue was created in the early 1960s by local woodcarver Neal Long, who modeled the face after a close friend. Years of Wisconsin weather eventually took their toll, and the original was later replaced with a fiberglass version that carefully preserved the original design.

In 2023, the Chief once again needed some attention. Local residents rallied together through a "Save the Chief" campaign, raising the money needed to restore the landmark. After repairs and a fresh coat of paint, the statue returned to its longtime home in 2025 looking better than ever.

UPDATE: Chief St. Germain is once again greeting visitors outside the Chamber of Commerce after his recent restoration. It's always nice to see a community come together to save a roadside landmark like this. 07-26

Christmax Past (Gone)
Photo courtesy Dave Pophal

Here at Christmas Past, it's Christmas present all year 'round. Don't forget to say hi to Santa as well as his little elf. Travelers along Highway 51 were often greeted by Santa Claus—or sometimes one of his elves—standing outside and waving people in. It was a fun sight that probably brought more than a few smiles to passing motorists.

The shop specialized in Christmas decorations, gifts, and antiques, making it easy to celebrate the holidays all year long. Around back, visitors could wander through a landscaped pond area and outdoor displays that added even more to the festive atmosphere.

Places like this didn't need flashing neon or giant fiberglass statues to get your attention. Sometimes all it took was Santa himself standing by the road, reminding everyone that Christmas was never really that far away.

UPDATE: Christmas Past has closed, and the property has since been repurposed for other businesses. Not sure what became of Santa, the elf, or the holiday displays, but hopefully they found a new place to spread a little Christmas cheer. 07-26

Arena Cheese Mouse
Arena, WI
Photo courtesy Dave Pophal

Does that mouse have a hot dog? Take another look at the Arena Cheese Mouse in Arena, Wisconsin. He's holding summer sausage in one hand and Swiss cheese in the other—a fitting welcome outside a cheese factory along Highway 14.

The fiberglass mascot marks Arena Cheese's factory store, where visitors can stock up on cheese and watch production through a viewing window when cheesemaking is underway. The company also has a notable claim to fame: Colby-Jack was developed here in 1979, combining Colby and Monterey Jack into the familiar marbled cheese.

UPDATE: Arena Cheese continues operating its factory and store, with the oversized mouse still serving as its roadside calling card. Between the mascot, fresh curds, and cheesemaking history, this stop offers plenty of temptation before you're back on the highway. 07-26