Maribel Caves Hotel - Hotel Hell

This lovely stone building has since been demolished by a tornado that ripped through the area August 2013 though the photo was from 2009.   I came across this gem while working on some older photos and felt it needed it's own page here in WheretogoWisconsinland.    

Legend has it that this location was frequented by Al Capone and John Dillinger, though here are plenty of places that discuss/debate/debunk the history of this place but the sad truth today is that if you visit you will find a dangerous pile of rubble.  Before August 6th of 2013 it was a trespassing hazard.  Now it's a safety hazard.    So I am one of a few brave fellows who wandered the skeletal building before that fateful day.

©Dawn Braun

Places that have cataloged it's history is Unexplained Research - Motel Hell, Wisconsin Sickness - Hotel Hell, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter - Maribel Caves Hotel

Where to find:  North of Cherney Maribel Caves State Natural Area, 16612 County Road R, Maribel, east of Hwy 43.  From Maribel, take Hwy Z east past Hwy 43 overpass, then turn left on County Road R (or N.Packard Rd).

What to Expect:  A pile of stones, some part of the structure still stands but like I mentioned it looks really unstable.  It is next to a great hiking stop with lots of the same rock formations as from the Dells and Dodge County Ledge Park, locally known as Horicon Ledge 

Path to Asylum Point - Oshkosh Wisconsin

This small patch of oak trees is part of Asylum Point Park, leading the adventurer to what in 1871 became Northern Asylum for the Insane.   Today it is Winnebago County Mental Health Institute though the area continued to be recognized as Asylum Point/Asylum Bay which is also a county park.  I realized that I have not given this a proper Wheretogo post and am amending this today.  

Standing at this point, if you turn around to face the south there will be the restored Asylum Point Lighthouse, which I am sharing from my Fine Art America page.  This relatively small park has been a great source for many of my favorite photos.

Note:  This same path (facing north) will also lead you not just to the the rest of the park but to a LETTERBOX. Continuing from that cache will be several trails, some part of the mental heath property and if patient you will stumble upon the old Asylum Cemetery.


Where to find:   See the location link included in the post.  If you are in Oshkosh, this is E.Snell Rd, on the east side of Bowen Street (Cty Rd A south from Neenah on Commercial St).  If you follow E. Snell all the way East, turning right on Sherman Rd which is the entrance road to Asylum Point County Park.  Continue on to the patch of woods and on to Asylum Bay Lighthouse.

What to expect:   This is a popular fishing area at all times of the year and some visitors will bring their dogs.   It's not an overly impressive park but people are keen  on lighthouses and enjoy wandering the small island.   The mental health property has a few picnic tables and in all honesty may actually be part of the Asylum Point Park.  There was never a sign found so I just assumed I was trespassing and was happy to have found a secluded area to rest my bones. LETTERBOX LOCATION!

Jesuit Retreat Center - Fahrnwald Farm

Taken June 2013

One of my favorite compositions, the exposure, depth of field were just perfect which doesn't happen too often.

While working on this upload, I discovered that there is some history surrounding this unique barn originally part of a community known as Perryville which existed from the 1850's and was a ghost town by the Civil War after the passing of widow Ruth Swift The property was then passed around the local farmers until purchased by Homer and Ezra Fahrney who developed a tonic remedy Alpen Kraüter, who owned the land and planted thousands of trees. By 1910 it became known as Fahrney's Woods and would eventually become what we now call The Jesuit Retreat House.

By 1918 a 30 room brick mansion was build on the grounds north of this barn, now known as the Jesuit Retreat House.     I've been on the grounds of the retreat and cannot recall a brick mansion although a published history last updated in 2015 has it still standing.  Another excuse for a Road Trip I believe!

Pictured here is a prayer room. Unfortunately, the full sized RAW file is resting somewhere in a hard drive and the uploaded file was one that I took from my facebook page and has suffered some degradation as it is a smaller file size. Lightroom has really helped but will probably need some TLC through Photoshop.  This is sad, really, as it's one of my best work.


Where to find:
From Oshkosh travel south along the lake on Highway 45 about 15 minutes, approximately 7 miles.
There will actually be a sign for The Jesuit Retreat House on the corner of Hwy 45 and Fahrnwald Road where the historic Farnwald Barn can be seen.


What to Expect:

Probably a no trespassing sign.  I've driven the grounds when it was closed.  There is a winding asphalt drive that is lined with several religious pieces including the Stations of the Cross. There is also a small ornate bridge and several resting places.


To learn more about this property's history on the Jesuit Retreat House Historical Narrative,
and Legends of America.   Or learn more about the Jesuit Retreat House.