Dousman, WI

Dousman is a quiet village of around 2,500 people in western Waukesha County, about 35 minutes west of downtown Milwaukee. Originally founded as a nineteenth-century railroad stop nicknamed Bullfrog Station, the community has kept its relaxed, small-town feel. The old rail line has been converted into the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, giving residents a scenic path right through town for walking, running, and biking past nearby lakes and rolling Kettle Moraine hills.

ATTRAwkwafaba / CC BY-SA 4.0

Families often look at Dousman because of the strong Kettle Moraine School District, which operates an elementary and middle school in town. A handful of local eateries, corner shops, and neighborhood parks cover the daily essentials, with larger stores and medical centers just a short drive away in Oconomowoc and Waukesha. The village also hosts the annual Dousman Derby Days and Wisconsin State Frog Jump, a long-running summer festival that reflects the town's welcoming, down-to-earth personality.