The Village of Merton, WI is a small, charming suburb of Milwaukee that's perfect for families seeking a rural setting and plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities. From its farming families and picturesque barns to its unique main street shops and multi-acre estates, Merton is a village that offers a taste of country life in an area not too far from the big city. At roughly 3,346 residents in 1,020 households across roughly 3 square miles, the Village of Merton is a quiet place, served by small public amenities like the Town Hall library--technically located in North Lake--and filled with charming local businesses like Mame's Shoppe, a Main Street store that offers antiques, collectibles, hand knit items, folk art and more.
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Originally established by William Kunz in 1840 as the Town of Warren, Merton, WI started with a simple log home on the south side of the Bark River. Kunz went on to become one of 16 Waukesha County Board members in 1846, and later become the first Postmaster at the newly-built Post Office when the town's name was finally changed to "Merton." The Village of Merton as it is known today is technically a smaller subsection of the Town of Merton, which also includes the unincorporated communities of Stone Bank, North Lake, Monches and Camp Whitcomb. At one time, the Town of Merton also included the pioneer Swedish-American settlement of New Upsala, also sometimes referred to as Pine Lake Settlement.
Merton, WI has seen a number of trailblazers and notable individuals over the years. Early on, Village trailblazers included John Cadby, Jonathon Finch, Henry Kunz, LM Moore, Henry Shears, Phillip Schneider and Peter Weeks. Since then, a few of Merton's most well-known names have included Ephraim Beaumont, Wisconsin State Assemblyman; Chester Dempsey, Wisconsin State Senator; Judson Hall, Wisconsin State Assemblyman; and James Barney Marsh, acclaimed bridge designer.
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Residents of Merton, WI can enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the region's four-season weather, from mild, comfortable springs to hot summers, cozy, colorful autumns, and legendary snow-filled Wisconsin winters. The warmer months bring residents to area lakes for family fun like fishing, boating and water skiing, while the cold months signal the start of skating, sledding, and skiing in the region's beautiful natural landscapes and state parks.
Residents looking for active, outdoor fun can take part in one of several athletic programs provided by the Merton Athletic Association to keep themselves in peak physical condition. The village also lies right along Wisconsin's recently-renovated and paved Bugline bike trail, providing easy access to families, hobbyists and professional cyclists. Prospective buyers considering living in Merton, WI can look forward to a new biking/walking trail to be developed by the county in the next three years or so. The proposed trail will connect to the Bugline trail and follow the beautiful Bark River shoreline all the way to North Lake.
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Merton families enjoy playground time and annual events at Firemen's Park, and also take advantage of the great festivities offered by neighboring Hartland, as the two villages share several municipal elements and work closely together on a great number of events and projects. Each year, Merton residents flock to annual Hartland events like the 4th of July parade, hometown celebration, street dance, St. Charles Parish's FallFest and winter visit from the brightly-decorated Canadian Pacific Holiday Train.
Merton, WI is also known for its top-quality area schools. The village is part of neighboring Hartland's Arrowhead School District, which boasts one of the best high schools not only in the state, but in the nation. In 2010, Arrowhead High School ranked 889th in the nation out of over 27,000 public schools in Newsweek's annual list of "America's Best High Schools." The school is also known for its thriving athletic teams, with its football team garnering the #2 "Most Dominant" spot in the state according to high school sports site MaxPreps. Younger children attend either Merton Primary School (grades 4K to 4) or Merton Intermediate School (grades 5-8).
No matter the circumstance, Merton, WI is recognized for its peaceful country atmosphere, ideal access to local community events and great caliber of residents. The people of Merton, WI are relaxed and loving life. It's a great place for those who want to leave work at the office and truly enjoy the peaceful comforts and natural serenity of home.
