About ten years ago, I remember flipping through a calendar that featured twelve small towns and villages in Dunn County. Each month showcased a sepia-toned photograph from around the turn of the 20th century.
As I turned the pages, I was pleasantly surprised to come across a photo of the Village of Wheeler. But then something struck me—Main Street looked almost exactly the same as it did that day, aside from a few missing buildings. It was as if time had forgotten Wheeler.
Fast forward to today, though, and that’s no longer the case. Things are changing—and I like to call it the “Wheeler Renaissance.” Positive developments are taking place that are improving the quality of life for residents.
The village now boasts a new grocery store, a deli, a breakfast and lunch diner, an upgraded park, a thrift store, and once again, a great “supper pub.” And that’s just what I know of.
Personally, I’ve lived near Wheeler and done business there for nearly 50 years. Like all small towns, it’s seen its share of ups and downs. But one thing has always stood out to me—its strong sense of community. People genuinely care about one another and stick together. It’s the kind of place where all the kids feel like everyone’s kids, and all the moms look out for every child.
Bob Hakanson, the President of the Village Board, shared some insight into what’s driving this “Wheeler Renaissance.”
“We wanted to change the perception of Wheeler,” he said. “It was the townspeople who asked us to start cleaning things up.”
“It’s a slow process,” he added. “Everything has to be done legally.”
Hakanson emphasized the importance of the town’s dedicated staff: Treasurer/Clerk Don Knutson and Waterworks/Maintenance technician Randy Bates. “We couldn’t run the town without them,” he said.
He also credited the Community Action Committee and Brian Lorenz for revitalizing the local ballpark. Their efforts helped bring in the Boyceville Baseball Association, which has already added six new youth teams to play there.
Each year, the park has seen a new improvement—new playground equipment, new bleachers, and last summer, a freshly painted concession stand with a new roof. A beautiful Veterans Memorial has also been added to the village.
The Greater Dunn County Economic Development Corporation played a role in Wheeler’s transformation, too.
Looking ahead, Hakanson is hopeful: “We want to bring in more businesses, and hopefully new housing. People want to make Wheeler a place they can be proud of.”
From what I’ve seen—the changes, the community spirit, the pride in progress—I think they already have something to be proud of.
Renee Carrell is retired and a resident of the Town of Otter Creek.
