This Vintage Footage From The 1970s Will Remind You How Much You Miss Wisconsin’s Beloved Storybook Gardens

There’s a lot to love about the Dells, but not as much as there once was. For several decades, the area was home to a delightful park known as Storybook Gardens. Longtime residents will undoubtedly remember the beloved attraction, which entertained visitors for decades. And while Storybook Gardens has been closed for years now, we found some vintage footage that’s sure to remind you just how much you miss the whimsical Wisconsin attraction. Read on as we take you on a trip down memory lane to relive some fond memories of what was once one of the most beloved gardens in WI.

Opened in 1956, Storybook Gardens was as magical as it sounds.

The 10-acre park featured lush, colorful gardens and tons of storybook characters.

The park was open seasonally, from mid-May through mid-October.

And each season, visitors flocked to Storybook Gardens to take advantage of the relaxing environment and real-life fairy tale scenes.

In addition to beautiful flower gardens, well-trimmed lawns, and four ponds, the park featured a miniature train and 25 exhibits. Actors and actresses dressed as fairy tale characters roamed the grounds, only adding to the magic.

The park became known as a land where years didn’t count and where childhood dreams came true.

Part of what made the park so endearing was its peaceful calmness, which provided a convenient escape from the bustling atmosphere of the rapidly expanding Wisconsin Dells.

In operation from 1956 until 2010, Storybook Gardens was one of the most well-known and longest-running attractions in the Dells.

Interestingly enough, the park’s founder, Melvin Flath, was often questioned about his decision to build Storybook Gardens "in the middle of nowhere."

You may not be able to revisit this popular Dells attraction, but this vintage footage is a close second!

Do you remember this whimsical gardens in Wisconsin Dells? Did you visit during the park’s heyday? If so, what are your favorite memories from Storybook Gardens? Tell us in the comments section.

Want to reminisce with others about this defunct Dells park? Check out the Storybook Gardens Facebook page.

This isn’t the only defunct Dells attraction. Read our previous article about this once beloved gravity-defying cabin in Wisconsin.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wisconsin/gravity-defying-wonder-spot-wi/

Searching for more old-school fun in the Dells? Check out this entertaining tour on a vintage trolley that promises an experience unlike any other.