In the 1970s, Open House Imports, a quirky Scandinavian gift shop in Mount Horeb, had a fun idea to attract visitors: they began placing whimsical trolls imported from Norway on their front lawn. These trolls, with their cheeky grins and mischievous twinkles, didn’t just catch the eye of shoppers—they also became legends among passing truckers. The truckers would enthusiastically radio each other on their CB radios, “I just passed your mother-in-law on Highway 18/151,” referring to the trolls that lined the road.

As the 1980s rolled in, a new bypass was built around Mount Horeb, and local businesses feared it would hurt their foot traffic. But the clever memory of those troll-spotting truckers sparked a brilliant idea: embrace the trolls!

Enter Michael Feeney, the town’s resident woodcarver and the official Troll Carver of Mount Horeb. Village officials, enchanted by his troll creations, commissioned him to craft more of these delightful creatures. Soon, the trolls were popping up everywhere along Business 18/151, and the stretch of road proudly earned the name “The Trollway.”

With the slogan “Take the Trollway through Mount Horeb” catching on, the Trollway became a beloved attraction. These trolls were spotted watering flowers, tending chickens, playing tunes, and just having a grand ol’ time. Over the years, Michael’s life-sized whimsical trolls lined the historic Main Street, and new trolls crafted by other local artists joined the party.

But the fun didn’t stop there. Mount Horeb also boasts a living troll, Jorgen, who makes appearances at festivals throughout the year, adding to the town’s trollish charm. For a peek at the trolls and more, visit WoodenChicken.com, where Michael’s enchanting creations continue to bring joy to visitors and residents alike.

Use our troll map to plan your adventure in Mount Horeb or take a virtual tour of the trolls!