If you would like to see other locations around Edgerton that you know from the “Rascal” book and “Araiguma Rascal” anime, here is a guide…
Please be respectful of private property. Do not enter, do not knock.
The Sterling North Museum
409 W. Rollin Street, Edgerton, WI – Google Maps
Sterling’s childhood home, the setting of “Rascal,” has been restored as a museum that you can visit.
The Methodist Church
112 Albion St, Edgerton, WI – Google Maps
This is easy – it is next-door to the Sterling North Museum, at the corner of Albion and Rollin. Poe the Crow lived in the steeple.
The Train Depot
20 S. Main Street, Edgerton, WI – Google Maps
Edgerton’s train depot has been restored. Today it is “The Coffee Depot,” a coffee shop. If you want to go inside, be sure to check their hours, as they vary by day and they often close by 1 p.m. On the walls you’ll find many historical pictures of Edgerton.
Sterling’s School
112 Swift Street, Edgerton, WI – Google Maps
The former Child High School is where Sterling went to high school, around the time of “Rascal.” He began to build his canoe in “manual training” (or “shop”) class here.
If you’re a fan of the “Araiguma Rascal” anime, you will recognize the former elementary school across the street. – Google Maps
Indianford Dam
Indianford, WI – Google Maps
Sterling’s favorite fishing spot was the Indianford dam, about 3 miles south of Edgerton. Sterling liked to fish at the dam as well as downstream on the sand bars. It is an easy drive. Along the way, you pass the Fassett cemetery where where Sterling’s parents are buried.
Koshkonong Creek
Busseyville, WI – Google Maps
At the end of “Rascal,” Sterling paddles his canoe across Lake Koshkonong to the place where Koshkonong Creek enters the lake, and he returns Rascal to the forest.
This spot is only accessible by boat. If you would like to see a similar spot that gives you the feel of the place, you can easily view Koshkonong Creek from a bridge on Highway 106 in Busseyville, about seven miles north of Edgerton.
Lake Koshkonong
If you’re in a hurry, if you are driving between Janesville and Madison on the I-39 interstate highway… As you pass over the Rock River, look to the east to see Lake Koshkonong. – Google Maps
If you visit Uncle Fred’s farm on Bingham Road, you can drive south to the lake and view it from Bingham’s Landing. Look south down the lake, and that’s the farm where Sterling was born. – Google Maps
Uncle Fred’s Farm
N1572 N. Bingham Road, Busseyville, WI – Google Maps
Not far from Busseyville, you can see Uncle Fred’s farm house. It is private property.
Wentworth’s Woods
91 County N, Edgerton, WI – Google Maps
If you read the book, you might not remember the name of the place where Sterling first found Rascal. “Wentworth’s woods” is mentioned twice.
If you are a fan of the anime, you know “the forest of Wentworth” because it is mentioned in the closing credits theme song.
Ward Wentworth was Sterling’s father’s business partner in his real estate business. He owned this wood lot. It is on private property so you cannot visit it, but you can see it from the road.
Irish Picnic
Racetrack Park – Google Maps
The fair with the pie-eating contest was held at Racetrack Park, just north of Edgerton.
Sterling’s Birth Place
440 Liguori Road, Busseyville, WI – Google Maps
Sterling was born on November 4, 1906 on this farm. Today it is at the edge of the former Oaklawn Academy.
Sights Outside Edgerton
Northernaire Resort
Three Lakes, WI – Google Maps
This isn’t near Edgerton. It is approximately 250 miles (four hours’ drive) north of Edgerton.
If you read the Carl Marty chapter in “Raccoons Are The Brightest People,” or know Carl Marty from the anime, this is the spot. The original Northernaire was torn down many years ago. The new condominiums have the same name.