Over the thirty-something years we’ve lived in Wisconsin, we’ve always hauled-ass past Kenosha and Racine when driving to Chicago and beyond. On two separate chilly day-trips in early November of last year (2019), we spent some time in both cities and really enjoyed ourselves. You know how we love a good road trip! I’ll cover Kenosha in this post.

We started our first day to the west of I94 a bit – at the Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Located in the town of Brighton in northern Kenosha County, we had seen its sign for years but were always on the go and never stopped. Today was the day we would finally check it out!

“Once designated to be a jet fighter base, Richard Bong State Recreation Area is named after Major Richard I. Bong, a Poplar, WI native who was America’s leading air ace during World War II. The air base was abandoned three days before concrete was to be poured for a 12,500-foot runway. Local citizens had the foresight to protect this open space for future generations.” – READ MORE

Just inside the entrance were samples of the condo living offered for birds and bats, and a lovely trail beckoned us in a little further. I loved the silhouette of the bird house and weeds and was amazed when I caught the bird in the light and noticed its beautiful blue color – until I realized it was a fake!

The Visitor Center and solarium offer seasonal exhibits and nature-themed play areas. The Butterfly Garden is now abandoned, but the black squirrel below managed to scavenge a snack even this time of year.

The Nature Explore Classroom is a free play-space open to visitors of all ages and abilities, offering live animals and hands-on exhibits about the recreation area. Nature programs are offered almost every weekend of the year.

Clouds and threatening rain kept the crowds away and hunting season closed many of the trails. The sound of gunshots in the distance made me a little nervous, but even on a bad day this place was awesome! We plan to return to explore more thoroughly in summer or early fall when leaves on the trees and children thriving in the great outdoors would add to its beauty.

Since we were close, we officially drove our first Rustic Road – R-43 on County B from WIS 142 in Kenosha County to WIS 11 in Racine County. I’m sure over the years we’ve traveled on more, but I didn’t have a list – and you know how important it is to check items off a list! Click on the link if you’d like to start your own checklist of great drives in Wisconsin.

Of course we had to pull over for pictures along the way, and in the town of Kansasville (of course) we had to pull over for The Dirty Hoe. With a name like that you may not expect much, but reviews say the burgers are delicious! With a nice patio area set up with strings of lights and a stage, it looks like a great place to kick up your heels on a hot summer night. Located in the middle of nowhere is an advantage in this case, since there are no neighbors to care if the music gets too loud. Unfortunately it was closed today so we couldn’t give one of those burgers (and beers) a try.

Instead, we had lunch in Kenosha at Captain Mike’s Beer and Burger Bar – mostly because of the great burger smell wafting from their open door! The burger did not disappoint and with an extensive choice of beverages on tap, we may just have to come back!

We finally made it to the lakefront in Kenosha, which was really beautiful. A nip in the air made for a quick trip out on the jetty, but it had to be done. Previously North Pierhead, this beautiful red light is now an art studio and gallery.

Previously named Pike Creek and later Southport (being the southernmost Lake Michigan port in the state), it wasn’t until 1850 that Kenosha got its forever name. The Kenosha lakefront offers paths and sidewalks for your daily run or walk, and sculptures and benches for relaxing afterwards. No matter what time of year you visit, always have a jacket on hand because winds off Lake Michigan change quickly.

Across the inlet, stands Kenosha’s Civil War Museum – one reason Jim agreed to visit on such a dreary day. If you’re into history, this place is chock full of informative displays about the Civil War and “is the first and only museum to examine the war from the perspective of the Upper Midwestern states, telling the personal stories of men, women and children. State of the art exhibits immerse you, giving a feeling of being a part of the history. Seeing the Elephant, the museum’s 360° film, adds to that feeling, putting you in the middle of a skirmish. The 10-minute movie experience is one of only three 360° films in the U.S.”

The displays were so realistic, with audio and video accounts of what life must have been like. Some men were gung-ho about joining in, knowing that war was necessary – while others were obviously conflicted, with thoughts of leaving their loved ones behind – perhaps for good.

It was a wonderful visit and, of course Jim needs to come back for a more in-depth look. The upstairs didn’t provide much in the way of displays, but it offered a great view of the lakefront.

In the early 1900s, electric rail was the way to get around in Kenosha and in 2000 these quiet, pollution-free vehicles returned! A yellow electric streetcar is seen in the photo below after a stop at Fountain Plaza – one of its ten stops in downtown Kenosha. They run all year, with shorter hours in colder months. On 15-minute intervals, you won’t have to wait long for your next ride.

Last stop on this chilly day was the Southport Light Station Museum. Although the museum was closed, we loved exploring the grounds and when we got home, I found out a little history about the first lighthouse that stood here.

Kenosha’s first lighthouse was created in the 1830s when a large oak tree was cut down. Using a layer of stones placed on top of its ten-foot-high stump, citizens worked week-long shifts to keep a wood fire burning every evening during the navigation season. Around 1840, a square lantern on a tower of four posts replaced the stump light. 

Southport Lighthouse was built in 1848 on the hilltop above what is now Simmons Island Park, but was rebuilt in 1858 – adding the keeper’s house – and again in 1866. The current lighthouse would now be called the Kenosha Lighthouse. The Southport Light Station Museum (keepers house and lighthouse) is open mid-May through the end of October.

Following the automation of the breakwater and pierhead lights in 1940 (shown in the large photo up top), the Coast Guard left Kenosha Light Station and the City of Kenosha took over its maintenance. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and was restored. The keeper’s house was used as a rental property for nearly fifty years, restored to a 1908 time period, and reopened in 2010.

It was a wonderful visit to Kenosha on a brisk day in November. I’d suggest you visit on a warmer day!

Next up: Racine, Wisconsin

Happy trails,
Barb