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 (Gone)
Merrill, WI Photo courtesy Dave Pophal
Driving north of Merrill, it was hard not to notice the herd waiting along Highway 51. Buffalo Spirit Village was home to several lifelike buffalo statues that stood out front, giving passing motorists a pretty good hint about where they were. They looked convincing enough that more than a few people probably did a double take.
The roadside stop combined a gas station, restaurant, gift shop, and convenience store, making it a popular place to stretch your legs during a trip through northern Wisconsin. The buffalo statues gave the property plenty of personality and made it one of those places that was easy to remember long after the visit.
The business survived a devastating fire in 2009 and reopened, but things changed a few years later when a new highway overpass eliminated the direct access that travelers had relied on. With traffic bypassing the business, it wasn't long before the doors closed for good.
UPDATE: Buffalo Spirit Village has been demolished, and the buffalo statues were removed from the property. Not sure where the herd ended up, but hopefully they're still grazing somewhere along another Wisconsin roadside. 07-26
"Poor Old Woman..."
Madison, WI Photo courtesy Dave Pophal
Now this place has a fairy-tale feel to it. The Old Woman in a Shoe Slide has been entertaining kids at Madison's Vilas Park for generations. Shaped like the famous nursery rhyme boot, it's more than just something to look at—climb up inside and the slide comes out through the toe.
The giant shoe was built in 1962 as a gift to the community by local trade unions, and it's been a favorite playground attraction ever since. Every summer, the shoe gets a fresh look as local children help repaint it with colorful new designs, so no two visits are exactly alike.
It's a simple idea, but that's part of its charm. Long before elaborate playgrounds became the norm, a giant storybook shoe was more than enough to spark a kid's imagination.
UPDATE: The shoe slide is still a popular part of Vilas Park and continues to welcome new generations of children. Fortunately, this classic playground landmark is being preserved as the park continues to grow and improve. 07-26
Here are a couple of Hiawatha statues found in the Midwest.
Hiawatha (Gone)
La Crosse, WI Photo courtesy Dave Pophal
For many years, Chief Hiawatha stood high above Riverside Park, overlooking the meeting of the Mississippi, Black, and La Crosse rivers. At 25 feet tall and weighing about 25 tons, the giant concrete figure was one of La Crosse's most recognizable roadside landmarks.
The statue was created by local artist Anthony Circolone and dedicated in 1961. Whether visitors stopped for the view of the rivers or simply to see the towering figure up close, it became a familiar stop for generations of travelers passing through the city.
Over the years, however, the monument became the subject of growing controversy. Native American groups and members of the Ho-Chunk Nation raised concerns that the statue did not accurately represent the region's history or culture, leading to years of discussion about its future.
UPDATE: The Hiawatha statue was removed in 2020 after decades of debate. In 2026, a new bronze monument honoring Ho-Chunk healer Betsy Thunder was dedicated at the site, marking a new chapter for this corner of Riverside Park. 07-26
Hiawatha
Ironwood, MI Photo courtesy Tony Craig
Located in Ironwood is Hiawatha, a giant fiberglass figure that's been welcoming visitors since 1964. Standing 52 feet tall on a bluff overlooking the city, he's one of those roadside attractions that's easy to spot long before you reach him. 03-06
The statue was commissioned to help attract travelers to Michigan's western Upper Peninsula during an era when giant roadside figures were popping up across the country. Inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's The Song of Hiawatha, the towering figure holds a peace pipe and has become one of Ironwood's most recognizable landmarks.
After decades of standing up to Upper Peninsula winters, Hiawatha received a major restoration in 2019 that repaired the fiberglass and gave him a fresh coat of paint. Today, he looks much like he did when he first began greeting travelers over 60 years ago.
UPDATE: Hiawatha is still watching over Ironwood and remains one of Michigan's best-known roadside attractions. If you're heading across the Upper Peninsula, he's well worth a stop for a photo. 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 this mouse have a hot dog in his hand? Not quite. The Arena Cheese Mouse is actually holding a summer sausage in one hand and a big wedge of Swiss cheese in the other, a pretty good combination if you're in Wisconsin.
Standing outside Arena Cheese along Highway 14, the fiberglass mouse has been welcoming hungry travelers for years. It's a fun roadside mascot that lets you know you've found the right place before you even step inside.
Arena Cheese has been making cheese for generations and is known as the birthplace of Colby-Jack cheese, first created here in 1979. If you stop in during the week, you can even watch cheese being made through the factory viewing window before picking up a few curds or a block to take home.
UPDATE: The Arena Cheese Mouse is still greeting visitors outside the factory store, and Arena Cheese continues to welcome travelers along Highway 14. Fortunately, this cheesy little roadside character is still on the job. 07-26
La Crosse Eagle (Gone)
"Buffalo" ... Buffalo Spirit Lodge (Gone)
"Poor Old Woman..."
Hiawatha (Gone)
Hiawatha
St. Germain Chamber of Commerce
Christmax Past (Gone)
Arena Cheese Mouse
