Property Details

Whitetail Dreams Real Estate is privileged to present this truly special Driftless Region legacy estate.

Set just northwest of Richland Center at the end of a dead-end road in a vast, peaceful valley, this property stops you mid-sentence when you try to describe it. The 180+/- acres feature a stunning 3,780+/- square foot timber frame residence built around the bones of a historic barn that once stood on this very property, a 1,200+/- square foot guest home, multiple outbuildings, Fancy Creek trout stream, a spring fed pond, gorgeous hardwood ridges, pine plantations, vibrant valleys, and decades of meticulous conservation care. But none of these characteristics are what make this estate truly special in the marketplace, although they certainly contribute to it.

In a world filled with properties that are repeatedly bought and resold, stripped down to be pieced back together, repackaged, and passed to the next owner, this estate has been held under the ownership of just two lineages since the mid 1850s. Under present ownership since the early 1970s, a legacy awaits its next caretakers.

A Residence Rooted in History

The main residence is a 3,780+/- square foot, 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom custom home built around the original timber frame of a historic barn that once stood on this very property. The heavy beams, posts, and knee braces are the bones of the home. The architecture was designed around the timbers, not the other way around, and the result is a beautiful testament to the history behind this incredible estate.

The trim accentuating the flooring, windows, and doorways was milled from timber harvested on the property. Plaster walls, hardwood floors, Anderson windows, and custom cabinetry combined with the finished original timbers create the feel of a home that could stand for another century.

The great room’s soaring vaulted ceiling is wrapped with windows that pull the valley in from every angle. Anderson windows with remote-opening uppers and rain-sensing close automatically when the weather turns. A surround sound system adds a modern touch to the historic charm. The Country wood stove anchors the great room on a slate tile hearth supplied by wood delivered from the walk-out basement via a convenient, subtle Woodwaiter.

The kitchen features custom hardwood cabinetry, built in cooktop, and stainless appliances including a refrigerator, wall oven, microwave, and dishwasher. The sink sits at a corner window with a direct view up the wooded hillside. Exposed timber posts frame the pass-through to the great room, and the open floor plan keeps the kitchen connected to the dining area and the view beyond.

The first-floor master suite offers valley views along with a walk-in closet and a full en suite featuring a double vanity, soaking tub set on a tiled platform with a window above it, separate glass-door shower, and tile throughout.

Two additional bedrooms are on the upper level, each with exposed timber beams, and windows framing the surrounding hills. A loft overlooks the great room and works as an office or sitting area to soak in more valley views.

The walk-out basement is finished and includes a kitchenette, full bath, laundry, and ample storage. A door from the basement opens into the original silo, which remains standing and intact. The clay tile interior, domed cap, and interior staircase are all there. Yet another testament to the preserved historical character of the estate.

Outside, the wraparound deck runs off the main living level with direct access from the great room. An octagonal gazebo sits off one end with a ceiling fan and open views in every direction. The valley stretches out above and below with no neighboring structures in sight.

For Your Guests

The guest home is a 1,200+/- square foot, 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom ranch-style home built in 2005. It sits in the valley with the main residence visible in the background, sharing the same sweeping setting without sacrificing privacy. A covered front porch with columns faces the winding drive and is sure to spoil your guests with a beautiful view from a comfy set of rocking chairs.

Inside, hardwood floors run through the main living areas. The kitchen features custom hardwood cabinetry, a center island, stainless appliances, and a bright dining nook wrapped on two sides by windows looking out to the hillsides. Pendant lights hang over the island and dining table. The living room is open and comfortable, with a wood stove in the corner and windows on two walls bringing in the same valley light that defines the main residence. Forced air LP heat and central air conditioning handle year-round comfort.

The single bedroom is generously sized with hardwood floors, a double closet, and windows looking out to the tree line.

The full bathroom includes a tub/shower combo with tile surround and a separate vanity area with ample cabinetry and counter space. A dedicated laundry and mudroom with a utility sink, tile floor, and additional cabinetry rounds out the main level. The full basement offers substantial storage and potential to add more living space.

Whether used as a guest retreat, multi-generational living, or a rental opportunity, the guest home is a complete, standalone living space.

Beyond the two residences, the property offers a 30×34 shop, a 24×28 detached garage, and multiple smaller storage buildings. All outbuildings have power.

A Legacy of Land & Stewardship

The 180+/- acres that surround the structures tell a story of decades long stewardship and conservation that would make even Aldo Leopold proud.

The terrain is the Driftless Region at its finest. Wooded ridges ascend on both sides of the valley, resulting in hardwood ridgetops connecting the surrounding blocks of timber to neighboring farms with similar and larger acreages. Open pasture and CRP rolls through the valley floor.

Fancy Creek, a designated trout stream, runs through the property. The spring-fed pond, crystal clear with a stone edge and mature pines surrounding it, sits tucked into the landscape near the residences.

The conservation history here is exceptional by any measure. The current owners have received recognition from the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association for their stewardship work. Just a few examples of these practices include planting countless native trees and shrubs, diverse CRP mixes, erosion mitigation, runoff reduction, invasive species removal, timber stand improvement, and oak savannah establishment. The property has hosted field days and educational events for several different groups including the NRCS, WDNR, WWOA, and other local organizations. This track record speaks to the love, commitment, and work of those who have managed it. A Mississippi Valley Conservancy Easement is in place ensuring future generations will have the same opportunity to appreciate the importance, and beauty, of conservation while keeping it entirely private and not open to public use. A true legacy to pass on.

The 48+/- acres of pasture have been managed under rotational grazing practices. The 30.79 acres enrolled in CRP, with contracts running through September 2032, add additional wildlife habitat and income. The property participates in the Managed Forest Law program with 80+/- acres enrolled in MFL Closed, and 86.7 acres covered under a CSP conservation plan through December 2029.

Of the 180+/- acres, approximately 90+/- acres are wooded, carrying a diverse stand of northern hardwoods including sugar maple, red oak, white oak, basswood, hickory, and elm. Multiple red and white pine plantations in different age classes add variety to the timber composition and provide excellent wildlife cover. A secluded boomerang-shaped meadow hidden within the timber features apple trees and offers a natural draw for bucks laying down scrapes and strutting longbeards.

This estate has been shaped by people who loved it enough to leave it better than they found it. Opportunities of this nature are rare in any market and a select few offer such a generational legacy.

Contact listing agent, Pat Guyse, for your private showing. Buyers are required to provide proof of funds or preapproval letter prior to scheduling.

Highlights:

• 180+/- acres in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region
• Held by just two family lineages since the mid 1850s
• Located at the end of a dead-end road in a vast, private valley
• 3,780+/- sq ft timber frame main residence, 3 bed, 3 bath
• Custom built around the original timber frame of a historic barn on the property
• Trim milled from timber harvested on the property
• First floor master with walk-in closet and full en suite
• Finished walk-out basement with kitchenette, full bath, and laundry
• Original clay tile silo, standing and intact, accessible from the basement
• Wraparound deck and octagonal gazebo with valley views
• 1,200+/- sq ft guest home, 1 bed, 1 bath, built 2005
• 30×34 shop, 24×28 detached garage, and multiple storage buildings
• Fancy Creek designated trout stream
• Spring fed pond
• 90+/- acres of northern hardwoods and pine plantations
• 48+/- acres of rotationally grazed pasture
• 30.79 acres CRP through September 2032
• 80+/- acres MFL Closed, 86.7 acres CSP through December 2029
• Mississippi Valley Conservancy Easement (Private use only, not open to the public)
• Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association conservation award recipient