Dickeyville Homes For Sale & Real Estate

The village of Dickeyville, Wisconsin was established in 1849 and named after Charles Dickey, an early settler and surveyor born in New Jersey in 1812. After living in Illinois, Dickey moved to Grant County with his wife, Louisa, where they operated the town’s first general store at what is now the intersection of Highway 61/35 and North Main Street. The store served as a central hub for the community, offering dry goods, groceries, clothing, footwear, and farm equipment. Dickey remained active in the area for nearly two decades, also working as an assistant surveyor before relocating to Kansas in 1874.
By the late 1800s, Dickeyville had grown into a modest but active village, featuring a hotel, store, saloon, churches, schools, and several trades including blacksmithing and carpentry. Over time, the town expanded with additions like dance halls, a creamery (later a cheese factory), and local businesses, many of which evolved to meet changing community needs.
One of Dickeyville’s most notable landmarks is The Grotto, a unique religious and cultural site created by Rev. Matthias Wernerus beginning in 1920. Originally built to honor local soldiers lost in World War I, the Grotto grew into an elaborate shrine featuring a large statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by intricate religious symbols and decorated with thousands of stones, gems, and shells. Additional grottos and the “Patriotism in Stone” monument pay tribute to figures like Christopher Columbus, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington, reflecting both faith and national pride.
Dickeyville was officially incorporated in 1947, with a population of 275 in 1951, and continued to develop with the opening of its first bank in 1968, followed by another in 2001. Today, the village remains a place rich in history, tradition, and community spirit.

The Dickeyville Grotto & Shrines is one of the area’s most notable attractions, open year-round and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This unique site draws visitors from across the region with its intricate craftsmanship and cultural significance.

Dickeyville’s convenient location also provides easy access to nearby cities like Dubuque, Iowa and Platteville, Wisconsin, where residents and visitors can enjoy a wide range of dining, entertainment, and cultural activities just a short drive away.