Mount Horeb, Wisconsin: Troll Carvings Town

Many businesses in Mount Horeb display business-related trolls.

Apparently they trade out the trolls every so often.

Just off of US 151 in Wisconsin, in the town of Mount Horeb on BUS 151, there are trolls everywhere. We found seven of them on the main streets, and one off to the side, hanging over a pub (The Grumpy Troll). We were especially taken by the Tooth Fairy in front of the dentist, the women in front of the welcome center, and of course, the Grumpu Troll.

Take a look; they're having a Summer Frolic the first weekend in June.

I have friends that live in Mount Horeb and went to visit them. I was slightly scared by the amount of trolls in the city. They are everywhere! Even the street signs have little trolls on them. A local dentist's sign has a troll holding a toothbrush.

When I made it into a gift shop in town, I did ask why there are trolls everywhere, since their local magazine had a map of where all the trolls are. They informed me that Norwegian folklore is that trolls protect the crop and make the crops more prosperous. So the trolls are around town for good luck. Makes sense now, but before that, it was kind of creepy.

Mt. Horeb is not just home to the well-known Mustard Museum. While you're in town, don't forget to view the Trollway. All along Main Street you can see a large number of troll statues portraying various themes -- like troll tourists. If you are in town for the Mustard Museum (and who could stay away?), be sure to visit the troll statues.