There's a particular quiet you only find where a town used to be. New Upsala has it. New Upsala (Swedish: Nya Uppsala) also referred to as the Pine Lake Settlement, was an early pioneer Swedish-American community in Wisconsin.
The story of New Upsala
Wisconsin's ghost towns are lead mines, lumber towns, and cutover country that went back to forest.
New Upsala (Swedish: Nya Uppsala) also referred to as the Pine Lake Settlement, was an early pioneer Swedish-American community in Wisconsin. The short-lived settlement of Swedish immigrants was founded by Gustaf Unonius. It was located in the north central section of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, near the town of Merton, outside Delafield, in the area now incorporated as the villages of Chenequa and Nashotah.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of New Upsala 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.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to New Upsala 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.
Good to know
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.
Survey Map
Approximate position — verify access locally before visiting
New Upsala FAQs
01Where is New Upsala located?
02What county is New Upsala in?
03What is the history of New Upsala?
04What remains at New Upsala today?
05Can you visit New Upsala?
Sources: account based on Wikipedia (“New Upsala, Wisconsin”), CC BY-SA.
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