Wren Lake sits in the Driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin, about two hours northwest of Madison. The town was founded in 1851 by Norwegian and Swiss-German farmers. Most of the downtown brick was laid between 1880 and 1920. The grain elevator on the south edge closed in 1985 and has been waiting for a second life ever since.

The lake itself runs north to south, about two and a half miles long. The north end is shallow and full of wrens. The south end is deep enough for the local kids to learn to swim off the docks. Birch Point projects from the southwest shore. Helen's cottage is at the tip.

The town is small. There is one diner, one hardware store, one bookstore, one motel, one creamery, one supper club two miles south. The same forty or so people are running everything. Information moves through Donna at the diner faster than the weather.

Downtown Wren Lake

1. Birch & Bell Diner — Donna's. Open six to two. Wood booths from 1962.

2. Wren Lake Books — the only bookstore for forty miles.

3. Town Hall — Ruth's office is upstairs, window facing east toward the lake.

4. Dahl's Hardware — Pete's. Does informal water tests for whoever asks.

5. Trollhus Coffee — restored Victorian. The only real espresso in town. Closed Mondays.

6. The Annex — former feed mill, now an event space and restaurant.

7. Holm-Werner Creamery — family-owned four generations.

8. Bauer's Meat Locker — sausage since 1936.

9. Grain Elevator — inactive since 1985.

The map will fill in as the series grows.