This week in Sparta
Nothing on Sparta’s calendar for the next two weeks yet.
About Sparta
Sparta began in 1851, when brothers Frank and William Petit opened a tavern where two early state roads crossed, and their mother named the spot after the old Greek city. It became the seat of Monroe County in 1854, grew with the railroad, and once drew visitors to its artesian mineral-water wells. In 1967 the old railroad line to Elroy became the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, counted as the nation's first rail trail, so Sparta calls itself the Bicycling Capital of America and greets people with Ben Bikin', a giant rider on a high-wheeled bike. Families ride the trail and its tunnels, bring lawn chairs to free Wednesday concerts by the Kiwanis Bandshell, and stroll the German-style Kriskindlmarkt after Thanksgiving.