Have You Met The Mischievous Mount Horeb Trolls of Wisconsin?
Trolls in Wisconsin? Yes, while driving into Mount Horeb, one of the first things you notice is a strange little creature hanging out near the entrance to this small Wisconsin town. It all started in the 1970s as a sales tactic and, over the years, has become a visitor’s delight.
Trust me when I say you won’t want to miss meeting any of the Mischievous Mount Horeb Trolls that seem to run the town of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.
Mount Horeb, Wisconsin is known as “The Troll Capital of the World” for a good reason. Mischievous Mount Horeb Trolls began appearing throughout this small Wisconsin town in the 1970s. Since then, one by one, they seem to have taken over the town. Today, when driving into Mount Horeb, life-size trolls have run of the place. At least, they seem to think they do, with one troll even showing off his key to the city.
Mount Horeb’s main street, affectionately known as the Trollway, is guarded by trolls, each taking their appropriate place throughout the town. Driving through town, you smile as you can see the personality of each troll, who warmly extends a hand and welcomes you. Don’t forget to stop to get a picture, shake their hand or even rub noses. They may seem grumpy on the surface but all of them were very friendly.
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What Is A Troll
Trolls are fantasy creatures that originated in Norwegian folklore. Some are known to be cute, while others are ugly or even scary. Some are giants, but most are elf-sized. Once upon a time, these creatures are said to have roamed the Norwegian forests. They only came out at night because they feared sunlight, which is said to turn them to stone.
All trolls have a few things in common: each has only four fingers on each hand and four toes on each foot. Their noses are crooked, and they all have tails, and most seem a bit shaggy. They may be a bit naive and a little mischievous, but for the most part, they are good-natured. Over the years, many trolls are said to have developed magical powers.
Trolls are thought to guard treasure, which makes one wonder why they showed up in Mount Horeb. Some of the town folks think the Mount Horeb Trolls once guarded the nearby Cave of the Mounds, and when it was uncovered, they wandered until they found their next treasure. Are the trolls throughout the town guarding an unfound Mount Horeb treasure or is Mount Horeb itself the treasure? For this small Wisconsin town, the trolls themselves seem to be the treasure.
How Did The Trolls End Up In Mount Horeb, Wisconsin?
Until the early 1970s, the Mount Horeb Trolls had not gained enough courage to come out of hiding and show themselves. Trolls love hilly areas, and you can’t help but wonder if they had been hiding in plain sight on the area’s Blue Mounds or hiding underground at the Cave of the Mounds.
Yet, they say it all “officially” started when a small Scandinavian gift store on the main street placed two imported trolls from Norway outside their gift store to entice visitors to wander in and shop.
The gift store idea worked so well that not only did it attract visitors to come in and shop, but even passing truck drivers could be heard referring to the trolls on their CB radio. Many of them jokingly referred to the trolls as someone’s mother-in-law. The trolls became so popular that everyone knew the precise location if you were caught talking about the trolls.
Years later, when a by-pass rerouted traffic around Mount Horeb, the town was worried about losing revenue when they lost the through traffic. With, I’m sure, a little unknown coaxing from the town’s trolls, a local artist was brought into the picture to help more trolls find their permanent home in Mount Horeb. As more and more trolls made Mount Horeb their home, more and more visitors again visited this fun little town on the outskirts of Madison.
It wasn’t long before Mount Horeb’s main street started being referred to as the Trollway. Today, thanks to the trolls, Mount Horeb has become a destination. Visitors stop to check out the trolls and see if they can find them all, but they stay for all the other fun things the area offers. We had a blast exploring the town, looking for the trolls, and finding so many different things to do along the way.
You won’t need to worry about missing any of the trolls hanging around outside businesses or on the main street. The Mount Horeb Trolls tend to enjoy visitors and are very willing to strike a pose so you can take a picture or get close and take a selfie.
They seem to leave behind a few footprints, which is a good indicator of the mischief they have been in.
Meet The Mount Horeb Trolls
From the moment you enter Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, you are greeted by trolls. It could be the naughty gardening troll. Don’t look too close, or you may notice that this troll is not using his watering can to water the flowers. Thankfully, the flowers in his garden are still thriving.
You may first notice Sweet Swill carrying her parasol while walking her pet pig. Outside Craft Haus, you may spot a visiting tourist troll just passing through, or the local photographer trolls snapping pictures of all the tourists.
It takes several trips through town to think you have discovered them all, but don’t stop by just driving through and waving. To find them all, you really do need to get out and wander; some are hiding in plain sight, while others require a little searching. We did notice that some of the trolls must not like the Wisconsin weather and have taken up residence inside local businesses.
No stop in Mount Horeb would be complete without visiting Grumpy’s for a bite to eat and a local brew. Of course, you will want to take a snap with Grumpy Troll before moving on. He looked so grumpy that I needed to give him a big hug. I thought I saw the start of a little smile.
Across the street from Grumpy’s Pub is Mount Horeb’s Museum, the Historium. Be sure to stop in, meet a few more troll friends, and learn how Mount Horeb became the Troll Capital of the World. Be careful of the trolls inside the museum. One of them, the original chicken thief troll on display, is quite a flirt. The Chicken Thief troll was the first troll carved by Michael Feeney and the first troll to claim Mount Horeb as its home.
The Historium is also your go-to place for troll memorabilia and trinkets. Take them home and have them help you guard your treasures.
Outside Mount Horeb’s Telephone Company stands an accordion-playing troll who was once serenaded by a busload of Norwegian accordion players who happened to be passing through Mount Horeb.
Over thirty life-size trolls call Mount Horeb home. You will find them hamming it up all over town, waiting to make you smile. While waiting, they keep themselves busy, enjoying a brew, tending to the chickens, playing music, watering the flowers, or just relaxing.
You won’t want to miss one, so stop at the visitor’s center. Following the troll footprints will lead you to where you can pick up your troll maps and start your troll hunt. Trolls are hiding in plain sight, sometimes indoors and sometimes outside. No place is safe from trolls claiming it as their own. You will find yourself visiting the dentist, the grocery store, the Pub, the bank, Culver’s, the library, and many other places throughout the town as you search for trolls.
Currently, 36 trolls have been spotted in these Mount Horeb Historic Downtown places. Visit Mount Horeb and see if you can find them all.
- Mount Horeb Welcome Center – 3 inside 1 outside
- Open House Imports – 3 inside 1 outside
- American Family Insurance – 2 outside
- Family Dental Care – 1 outside
- Mound City Bank – 1 outside
- Ragnar the Rusty – 1 outside
- The Happy Place Troll – 1 outside
- The Gardner Troll – 1 outside
- The Bike Trail Troll – 1 outside
- The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub – 1 outside
- Sunn Cafe – 1 outside
- Driftless Historium Museum – 2 inside
- Larissa Maria Photography – 1 outside
- Sugar Trail – 1 inside
- Sunniva Inn – 2 inside
- Mount Horeb Family Pharmacy – 1 outside
- Aztalan Mexican Grill – 1 outside
- Culvers – 1 outside
- Village Smile Care – 1 outside
- Lake Ridge Bank – 1 inside
- Trollhovel (Troll Mountain) – 1 outside
- GrandStay Hotel & Suites – 1 outside
- Miller’s Supermarket – 3 inside
- Farmers Savings Bank – 1 outside
- Mt Horeb Public Library – 1 outside
You can download a copy of the troll map to use on your troll hunt.
Thanks to continued coaxing from the local trolls, new carvers are helping populate the Trollway with more and more trolls. At this rate, it won’t take long for the trolls to take over the town. An entire family of trolls is said to have moved into the local grocery store.
Places to stay in Mount Horeb
Although you can visit all the trolls in one day, there is much more to see. Mount Horeb is a fun place to visit and explore. With several festivals throughout the year and the nearby Cave of the Mounds, we recommend you find a place to stay and see firsthand the mischief these trolls get into at night.
Check out the Best Hotels in Mount Horeb.
Special events are always happening in Mount Horeb. Whether it’s kick-off to summer, Witches Night Out, Thirsty Troll Brew Fest, or Mount Horeb Trollidays, there is a calendar of events to enjoy as you explore Mount Horeb.
Wrap-Up – Mischievous Mount Horeb Trolls
Mount Horeb has become a destination for people from all over, thanks to the trolls. The rich Norwegian history of the settlers can be felt not only in the presence of the trolls but also in the one-of-a-kind attractions and cultural festivals that can be seen in Mount Horeb each year.
