From historic inns to the retro cash-only movie theater, nostalgia is built into every facet of life in Cedarburg. "It's a picturesque small town that regularly wins awards for Tree City USA," says Cedarburg native Danny Friess, the Parks and Recreation director. "When you turn onto Washington Avenue, and the trees are all snow-covered, it looks like something out of a picture book." And with Wisconsin's snowy winters, that can be the view for nearly half of the year. But Cedarburg also comes alive in the summer, known for its outdoor concerts and annual Strawberry Festival. For Milwaukee residents, Cedarburg is a tourist destination. But for locals, it's a quaint and friendly place to call home.
Cedarburg is full of rich history and beautiful architecture.
Historic Cedarburg Wisconsin Wall Art
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Along Washington Avenue
"Cedarburg's charm comes from its downtown area," says Sue Iding, an Innkeeper at the Washington House Inn who grew up in Cedarburg. "It's almost completely preserved, with original buildings from the 1800s." Locals call the shops in the Cedar Creek Settlement 'The Mill' because it used to be the site of the Wittenberg Woolen Mill. In between antique stores, The Mill has a selection of restaurants, breweries and bars. Cedar Creek Winery offers tours and tastings of internationally recognized wines. Locals enjoy dining at Anvil Pub & Grill, a former blacksmith shop featuring a creekside patio. And heading down Washington Avenue, the charming establishments continue to line the streets, from hand-made candy stores to the much-beloved PJ Piper Pancake House.
A beautiful antique on display on Washington Ave. in Cedarburg.
Cedarburg residents can do some shopping on Washinton Ave.
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Homes with historical influences
Cedarburg homes stretch out from its historic heart, generally getting less old farther out. Occasionally, a historic property from the 1800s in the heart of town goes on sale, but not often. Instead, some residents settle in recently renovated ranch-style homes that start around $300,000. Houses provide a country feel, with 1/4-acre lots and larger. But most homes in the area are located in Cedarburg's recently added subdivisions, ranging from $500,000 to $800,000, depending on lot sizes and floor plans. Boxy colonials mix modern amenities with rustic family rooms and wood-burning fireplaces. And new traditional builds echo Cedarburg's limestone and brick roots with stone exterior detailing. Yards in the subdivisions are more suburban, with expansive green lawns but less acreage.
A serene row of homes on display in Cedarburg.
A stunning Colonial style home in Cedarburg.
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Top-ranking high school with modern courses
Students are part of the Cedarburg School District, ranked fifth best in the state by Niche. Three A-rated elementary schools form a triangle around the city, ensuring that many kids can walk to school. All students are then funneled into Webster Middle School and Cedarburg High School, which both receive A ratings from Niche. Cedarburg High has AP options and various courses in fields like computer science, business and engineering. With an overall rigorous academic curriculum, the school is awarded a 10/10 college readiness score from GreatSchools.
Cedarburg students can attend Cedarburg High School.
Cedarburg students can attend Webster Middle School.
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Community and connection at local parks
The City of Cedarburg offers 146 acres across its 34 parks. "Some of Cedarburg's most popular amenities include our premium pool and the new, state-of-the-art pickleball courts," Freiss explains. "We don't really have any indoor facilities, but the youth sports we organize in the summer always fill up." The largest green space is Cedar Creek Park, a riverside green space with a playground and bandshell for free summer concerts. Firemen's Park is home to the Ozaukee County Fair, an annual affair of carnival rides and grandstand events dating back to 1859. And the community has access to the Interurban Trail, which stretches across the county and connects with the Oak Leaf Trail in Milwaukee.
A Cedarburg bicyclist stops to enjoy the view downtown.
Cedarburg residents can enjoy the beautiful views at Cedar Creek Park.
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Festive Cedarburg traditions
Cedarburg is known for a series of festivals hosted year-round. The Strawberry Festival is one of the most popular, where vendors sell every variation of strawberry foods, drinks and arts. The fall brings the Wine and Harvest Festival and Oktoberfest. Along the postcard-like streets of downtown, the Christmas and Winterfest celebrations bring warmth to the cold Wisconsin winters. All year round, locals can appreciate regional history at the Cedarburg Art Museum in an old Victorian mansion and the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber, located on a farmstead dating back to — much like everything else in Cedarburg — the mid-1800s.
Cedarburg residents can stop for sweet treat at Ashley's Confectionary.
Cedarburg residents can see a show at the Rivoli Theater on Washington Ave.
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Distance to big-city amenities
Though Cedarburg has a lot of charm, the semi-rural location is far from big-city amenities. There is a Piggly Wiggly and Sendik's in the city, as well as a small hospital. But for major shopping malls, larger hospitals and big employers, many residents regularly commute to Milwaukee's city center, which is 20 miles away. The trip is around 30 minutes without traffic, but it can get up to 45 or longer during rush hour. And the Milwaukee International Airport is all the way on the opposite side of the city, a 30-mile trip.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
