168 Hiking trails of Hixon Forest LaCrosse WI winnebago lake,lake superior,antique map,Hand Painted map,Great River Arts,map art by Lisa Mid

Hixon ForestOn the east side of the City of La Crosse, Wisconsin nestles the Hixon Forest, which consists of over 800 acres of bluff-land overlooking the Mississippi River Valley in the heart of the Driftless Region. The large forest preserve is believed to have it roots in Grandad Bluff, the nucleus of the forest and the focal point of the La Crosse community. In 1909, Joseph and Irene Hixon acquired Grandad Bluff to protect the bluff from quarrying. Three years later a group of civic activists, led by Ellen Hixon, raised funds to purchase area bluff-lands to stop the destruction around Grandad Bluff that was being ruined by logging and quarrying. Soon after deeds were exchanged, Mrs. Hixon donated the lands to the City stipulating that it should be used for preservation and recreation (park purposes). The land was also to have the option of being used for forestry or pasturage subject to approval by the Board of Park Commissioners in the City.Subsequently, Hixon Forest came under the