Incorporated in 1911, Woodville, Wisconsin is seated in St. Croix County and is home to 1,349 residents.   According to Eula Casper in the Baldwin Telecom Directory, the original area on which the village sits was so heavily wooded that it was first called “The Big Woods.”  The town’s name emerged from that moniker.  Lumber mills and hunting were the area’s first businesses.  The town’s first resident, J. M. S. Anderson, built the first home in Woodville.  In 1875, he became the Woodville’s first postmaster.

World War II brought challenges for Woodville.  Like other small towns, businesses were struggling, so came the advent of the Woodville Lions’ Club into the town to spur community enthusiasm.  The group sponsored the building of a medical center and the planting of seedlings of white spruce and Norway pine along Woodville’s Highway 12 entrance.  Other projects were funded by the Woodland Lions that furthered village growth.

By now, you’ve probably figured out that nature is a big part of this village.  Wildlife and plant life in its natural setting abounds around Woodville.  It also maintains its strong Scandinavian roots.  It is witnessed in area celebrations, traditions, shops and businesses.   Lena and Ole’s Gifts is a business in Woodville that sells soy candles, Norwegian art, Scandinavian apparel and Danish, Finish and Swedish jewelry.

Syttende Mai, which is the Norwegian equivalent of Independence Day, is celebrated in Woodville annually on May 17.  Gretha’s Bakery features Scandinavian baked goods.  Dregne’s Scandinavian Gifts showcases “hand-crafted Norwegian folk art from Skjerp” and are sold in some of the area stores.

What more can I say?  It’s a Scandinavian paradise!