Cheyenne Valley

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

Cheyenne Valley, Wisconsin was a former community in Vernon County, Wisconsin. It was a multi-racial community and is primarily known as a 19th-century rural African American settlement, which was the largest in the state. It is now the site of Cheyenne Settlers Heritage Park in Hillsboro, Wisconsin (across from Mount Vernon Cemetery), and it contains a historical marker erected in 1997 by the Wisconsin Historical Society (no. 383).

The on-the-ground condition of Cheyenne Valley 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 Cheyenne Valley 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.

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.