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How to Find the Gnomes

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So you want to find the gnomes? From comparing all 42 different gnome types within Wisconsin legend, we can deduce the kinds of locations they seem to prefer. Generally speaking, we can divide the gnomes into two categories: the wild gnomes, who dwell outdoors, and the house gnomes, who dwell very close to humans.

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Standard website disclaimer: Don't screw around on private property without the owner's permission. Whether human-owned or gnome-owned.

Finding the Wild Gnomes: Near Trees & Water

Wild gnomes will be found anywhere from just outside human settlements, to the deep wilderness. They seem to universally prefer thickly forested areas, especially near rivers, lakes, ponds, or marshes.

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Underground-dwelling gnomes are an exception. Instead of being found near water, they can be found in underground caves, abandoned mines, and mountain ridges and escarpments. They especially seem to favor areas where valuable minerals can be found, especially copper and lead.

Finding the House Gnomes: Shadowy Places

House gnomes seem to prefer areas where they can find some privacy: attics, basements, and garages. Barns and stables, where available, seem especially favored by these gnomes.

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Known Gnome Habitats

  1. Burlington Vortex: The woods around Burlington have quite a few gnomes crossing over from other dimensions, as well as many other entities.

  2. Devil's Punchbowl Preserve, near Menominee: A location with its own variety of gnomes.

  3. Eagle River: A location where both traditional gnomes have been sighted, as well as flying saucer-piloting gnomes.

  4. Holy Cross Road, in Fifield: A location known for its rock-throwing gnomes.

  5. Kettle Moraine: Dwendi have been sighted near the waterways of this glaciated region.

  6. Marble Point, near New Odanah: A location within the Bad River Reservation, said to be the dwelling place of the manitoussiwuk, who create concretions there. No one may fell a tree or kill an animal at this point without incurring their wrath.

  7. Mount Horeb: Known to be one of the few locations with house troll legends.

  8. Mystic Road, in Muskego: Location of Haunchyville, where the haunchies dwell. This is a dangerous location to go gnome-seeking, given that the haunchies are violently xenophobic, and do not like tall folk. Plus Muskego police impose high fines if they find people trespassing here.

  9. New Glarus: The woodlands around this location are said to have a type of gnome, including gnome royalty. These ones are especially fond of human children.

  10. St. Croix River: A river protected by its own gnomes, which hate those who pollute their river.

  11. Stockbridge Munsee Reservation: Two different types of gnomes, the ohdoh and the nagumwasug, serve as guardians to this Nation. Three locations on the Reservation in specific where these are said to dwell are at Lower Red Lake, by the old Gresham mission, and the North Branch of the Embarrass River. Supposedly, contact with the chief of the ohdoh can be made by offering tobacco at the lake, sage at the mission, and finally cedar at the river, then fasting and waiting until the chief appears.

  12. Usinger's Factory, in Milwaukee: To this day, the owners of Usinger's claim that by night, gnomes help to operate the sausage factory. This is one of the few locations where house gnomes can be reliably found.

  13. Washington Island: The island where he huldrefolk live.

  14. Wisconsin River: The heroka dwell along the banks of this river.

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Holy Cross Road

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Marble Point

Burlington Vortex

Mystic Road

Devil's Punchbowl

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Washington Island

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