About the Book

Think you know Wisconsin's history? These lost treasures tell a different story. Inside Lost Treasures of Wisconsin, walk through the Badger State's storied past. Revisit cherished community gathering places, the flavors we can no longer taste, and traditions that forged a state's identity. These places are gone now, but their stories live on in this special collection. Do you remember the joy of driving antique cars on a track at Fort Dells? Maybe you saw bands like U2 play in a small Madison club before they made it big, or you saw Genesis, after they became a mainstream band, performing at Camp Randall? Can you still picture the bold red-and-white exterior of the Turk's Inn or the glowing Smoky's Club sign? This book connects generations through shared memories and preserves moments we felt would last forever. We'll take you back to legendary diners and drive-ins where friends met under flickering tubes of neon signs, programs like Circus3 and the Cowboy Eddie Show, and retail hubs like Gimbel's, once an exciting destination for holiday shopping, and Prange's, where the animated talking Christmas tree, Bruce the Spruce, was a holiday centerpiece. Travel with us to community favorites such as the Oriental Pharmacy lunch counter, the Great Circus Parade, and the Tommy Bartlett Water Ski Show--where a bumper sticker was stuck on your car, whether you liked it or not. We'll also remember media icons like "Mr. Baseball" Bob Uecker and year-round sunbather and naturalist Dick Bacon. Lost Treasures of Wisconsin is for a lifelong resident sharing a piece of their past with a grandchild, a young adult discovering their roots in their state, and anyone who understands the value of our most precious moments. In these lost treasures, Wisconsin's story lives on. Open this book and begin a new chapter of your own.

About the Author

Tom Manus and Kristi Flick Manus are freelance travel writers for print and online publications, authors of Secret Wisconsin: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure; Historic Wisconsin Roadsides: Towns Off the Beaten Path in the Badger State; and their website smalltownplussize.com. Kristi is a Madison-area native, while Tom happily adopted Wisconsin after their marriage in 1995. After living in many states nationwide, Tom and Kristi moved to Eau Claire. They enjoy exploring different cultures, history, roadside attractions, and nature by road trips on backroads and two-lane highways. Along with international travel, they have visited 48 states, with only Hawaii and the elusive Rhode Island remaining.