Sharon Community Guide

Sharon is a village of about 1,586 people on the southern edge of Walworth County, sitting right on the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. It chose to honor its past instead of paving over it, and the result is one of the most architecturally intact small towns in the whole Geneva Lake region. Named for Sharon, New York, the village was established in 1856 and grew as a railroad and farm hub, picking up the old nickname “Corn Bin of the Dairyland.” About 90 minutes from Chicago and 20 from Lake Geneva, it’s a real find for anyone drawn to historic architecture and a tight community.

Things To Do in Sharon, Wisconsin

  • Model A Day: Sharon’s signature event, held each June since 1997. More than 300 vintage Ford Model A cars line the historic downtown, joined by period costumes and reenactors, live music at the gazebo, kids’ games, food vendors, and a swap meet for Model A parts. One of the most authentic living-history days in the region.
  • Grace and Pearl Historic District: A National Register district of 63 contributing buildings across two residential blocks, spanning Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Prairie School, and Craftsman styles. Self-guided tour resources are at historicdowntownsharon.com. Don’t miss the 1860 Manning Hoard House and the 1899 Marcus E. Hoard House.
  • Roun’da Manure Bicycle Tour: A beloved August ride (August 15, 2026) with 4 marked loops from about 20 to 37 miles through dairy country. Riders get “Moo Bucks” for ice cream along the way and finish with a meal at Pat’s Brew & ‘Que. A regional institution since 1987.
  • Brigham Memorial Library: The community’s cultural anchor at 131 Plain Street, with books, programs, and local history resources.
  • Yerkes Observatory: Home to the world’s largest refracting telescope, in Williams Bay about 15 miles north, with guided tours Thursday through Monday in summer.
  • Al’s Auto Body & Arboretum: A uniquely Wisconsin stop in Walworth, 8 miles north: acres of exotic hostas and the annual Hosta Fest.
  • Geneva Lake Shore Path: The famous 21-mile walking path around Geneva Lake, about 20 miles north.
  • Fontana-on-Geneva Lake: The western shore of Geneva Lake, about 15 miles north, with beaches, boat launches, and the Abbey Resort.

Restaurants and Dining in Sharon, Wisconsin

  • Coffee Cup Cafe: The quintessential Sharon diner, known for breakfast, Swedish pancakes, and a no-frills welcome that locals swear by. A perfect first stop for visitors.
  • Pat’s Brew & ‘Que: Serious BBQ and a Friday fish fry at 124 North Street, a village institution since 2020 with a lively bar. Open daily 11 AM to midnight, (262) 736-2222. Also the official post-ride meal for the Roun’da Manure Bicycle Tour.
  • Finn & Louie’s Pizzeria: The local independent pizzeria, formerly Genoa Pizza, with classic pies and a family-friendly room in the heart of the village.
  • Myrt’s Ice Cream Shoppe: Premium and rolled ice cream at 215 Baldwin Street. Spring and summer hours: Tuesday to Friday 3 to 8 PM, Saturday and Sunday 12 to 8 PM.

Events and Community Calendar in Sharon, Wisconsin

For everything happening across the wider region, check the full Walworth County events calendar.

Getting to Sharon, Wisconsin

  • From Chicago: I-90 West to IL-173 North to WI-67 North. About 90 minutes.
  • From Milwaukee: I-43 South to WI-67 South. About 75 minutes.
  • From Madison: U.S. Highway 14 East to WI-67 South. About 80 minutes.
  • From Lake Geneva: WI-67 South. About 20 minutes.

The Village of Sharon sits at 125 Plain Street, P.O. Box 379, Sharon, WI 53585. Phone: (262) 736-4888.

The Character of Sharon

The Town of Sharon was set off from older Delavan on March 21, 1843, named for Sharon in Schoharie County, New York. The village itself came together in 1856 when Robert Campbell of Oshkosh bought 40 acres and platted it, and by 1858 a Post Office made the community official. The rail line and the rich farmland around it did the rest, earning Sharon its old title, the “Corn Bin of the Dairyland.”

That early prosperity is still standing. Merchants and professionals built stately homes along Grace and Pearl Streets, and those two blocks became the Grace and Pearl Historic District: 63 contributing buildings on the National Register, running from Greek Revival through Queen Anne to Craftsman. The oldest is the Manning R. Hoard House at 186 Martin Street, built between 1859 and 1861. Sharon’s downtown was also among the first in Wisconsin to earn a Main Street award for preservation and economic development.

For a town its size, Sharon has sent a lot of people out into the world. Walter Samuel Goodland, the 31st Governor of Wisconsin, was born here in 1862. And Travis Frederick, the five-time Pro Bowl center for the Dallas Cowboys, grew up in Sharon and played at nearby Big Foot High School.

Schools and Family Life in Sharon, Wisconsin

Sharon families are served by two systems: the Sharon Joint School District runs Sharon Community School (grades PK to 8), and high schoolers attend Big Foot High School in Walworth. Safe streets, walkable historic neighborhoods, and a steady rhythm of community events make Sharon an appealing place to raise kids.

Sharon Community School at 104 E. School Street serves about 197 students Pre-K through grade 8, with a student-teacher ratio near 12 to 1, so kids get real attention. For high school, students head to Big Foot High School at 401 Devils Lane in Walworth, which draws from the Walworth, Sharon, Fontana, Linn, and Delavan townships and carries strong academic and athletic programs. It’s the school that produced NFL Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick.

The Brigham Memorial Library rounds out community life with programs for every age, and the calendar (July 4th, Model A Day, the Roun’da Manure ride) keeps neighbors crossing paths all year. For nearby towns worth knowing, the Walworth Village Community Guide and Fontana Community Guide cover what’s just up the road.

Real Estate in Sharon, Wisconsin

Sharon real estate is defined by architectural character and real value next to the Geneva Lake lakefront. The standout is its historic housing stock: preserved 19th-century homes that rarely turn up at comparable prices anywhere else in the region.

For buyers who want a piece of Wisconsin architectural history inside a walkable, close-knit village, Sharon is hard to beat. The market breaks into a few clear types.

  • Historic District Homes: Beautifully preserved 19th-century Queen Anne, Italianate, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival houses in and around the Grace and Pearl Historic District.
  • Mid-Century Ranches: Affordable single-level homes that make easy first purchases or right-sizing moves.
  • Newer Construction: More recent builds for buyers who want lower maintenance without leaving the village.
  • Value vs. the Lakefront: Across every type, Sharon prices well below the Geneva Lake shore, with the western beaches just 20 minutes north.

Kim and Joel Reyenga bring 50+ years of combined local expertise to buyers and sellers across Walworth County.

Search Sharon Homes at

YourWiscoHome.com

Why Chicago Families Love Sharon, Wisconsin

Chicago families fall for Sharon because it offers something rare: a genuinely preserved, architecturally stunning small town that tourism hasn’t overrun. You get the Grace and Pearl Historic District, the spectacle of Model A Day, a cycling event riders drive in for, honest local food, and access to Big Foot High School, all at a price that puts the Geneva Lake region within reach.

Your Sharon Story Starts Here

If you’re looking at the Geneva Lake region and want architecture and community without the lakefront premium, Sharon belongs on your list. The lake is a short drive when you want it, and the village is the kind of place that starts to feel like yours fast. For another Walworth County town with deep historic charm, see the Darien Community Guide.

Explore Sharon Homes at

YourWiscoHome.com

Frequently Asked Questions About Sharon, Wisconsin

What is Sharon, Wisconsin known for?

Sharon is best known for its annual Model A Day, a massive June gathering of vintage Ford Model A cars where hundreds of historic automobiles line the streets alongside period costumes, live music, and food vendors. Sharon is also known for its National Register-listed Grace and Pearl Historic District, its award-winning historic downtown, and the Roun’da Manure Bicycle Tour each August.

What are the best things to do in Sharon, Wisconsin?

Top activities include Model A Day in June, the Roun’da Manure Bicycle Tour in August, a self-guided walking tour of the Grace and Pearl Historic District, ice cream at Myrt’s Ice Cream Shoppe, and BBQ at Pat’s Brew & ‘Que. Sharon is also a short drive from Geneva Lake, Yerkes Observatory, and Al’s Auto Body & Arboretum.

How far is Sharon, Wisconsin from Chicago?

Sharon sits right on the Wisconsin-Illinois state line, about 90 minutes northwest of downtown Chicago, by way of I-90 West to IL-173 North to WI-67 North.

What restaurants are in Sharon, Wisconsin?

Local favorites include the Coffee Cup Cafe (known for Swedish pancakes and breakfast), Pat’s Brew & ‘Que (BBQ and Friday fish fry at 124 North Street), Finn & Louie’s Pizzeria (the local independent pizzeria), and Myrt’s Ice Cream Shoppe for seasonal ice cream including rolled ice cream.

Is Sharon, Wisconsin a good place to live?

Yes. Sharon is a quiet, picturesque village with a strong sense of community and beautifully preserved historic architecture. Families benefit from the Sharon Joint School District for elementary and middle school, and Big Foot High School in Walworth for high school. The village is safe, affordable, and within easy reach of Lake Geneva and Fontana.

What school district is Sharon, Wisconsin in?

Sharon is served by the Sharon Joint School District (Sharon Community School, grades PK to 8) for elementary and middle school. High schoolers attend Big Foot High School in Walworth, which serves students from the Walworth, Sharon, Fontana, Linn, and Delavan townships.

What are homes like in Sharon, Wisconsin?

Sharon’s market is notable for its historic properties: beautifully preserved 19th-century Queen Anne, Italianate, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival homes, especially within the Grace and Pearl Historic District. It also includes mid-century ranches and newer construction, offering strong value compared to nearby lakefront communities.

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