Clason Prairie

Wisconsin's ghost towns are lead mines, lumber towns, and cutover country that went back to forest.

Clason Prairie or Clason's Prairie was a former settlement in the Town of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, United States, roughly four miles southeast of Beaver Dam. It was named after James Clason, a native of Connecticut who settled there in 1841 and died in 1848. The one-room Clason Prairie School was closed down in 1962, although the building was still standing as of 1977. The old Clason Prairie Cemetery is still extant, at 43°24′49″N 88°46′52″W; it is maintained by the town.

The on-the-ground condition of Clason Prairie is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Clason Prairie is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Clason Prairie is roughly 43.4150, -88.7830 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.