Mount Horeb's Troll Mountain

George Sievers, former Mount Horeb Area Chamber Secretary, Plan Commission and Village Board member with his family Janice and parents Lee and Nancy Vogel  had a vision of having more trolls in Mount Horeb and this project captures the spirit, tenacity and love of Mount Horeb that burned so brightly in George. George loved whimsy and presented many projects to Mount Horeb. George repeatedly told the tale of the troll story and how they came to be in Mount Horeb. This tale has been passed on to many visitors and community members with the same passion and enthusiasm that George once told this story. 

Mount Horeb has successfully branded itself as the Troll Capital of the World through our many art carved trolls and projects that we do.  The sign of a great city is the strength of its cultural life and Mount Horeb is light years ahead of everyone thanks to the Sievers/Vogel Family.   The trolls bring visitors to Mount Horeb, they are a very popular attraction and have a great economic impact for our community.  

We have identified a mound by the East end of town as the “Troll Mountain” entrance to the village. It seems logical to utilize the natural topography at the east entrance which give visitors a grand view into Mount Horeb, The Troll Capital of the World. The Village of Mount Horeb already maintains this identified piece of land on a limited basis, so we are inspired by civic duty to make it beautiful.  It is with this overall vision that we are proposing a fun landscape art project.  

A hypertufa or concrete recipe with an internal wire support for the face or metal faceplate is being proposed. The troll face will be mounded and shaped with damp concrete recipe around it. The use of rebar or a chicken wire “cage” frame for the face.  Low-maintenance plants, ornamental grasses, perennials, and trees are part of the design. Additional rocks, stonework, lighting are also part of the plan.  The site will require site grading, landscaping and a coordinated effort with the Village of Mount Horeb, Kittleson Landscape and other interested parties. The project's intent will look more like a rock formation and less like concrete as time goes by and all part of the designed 2006 County Highway ID project. 

We all love Mount Horeb and it's whimsical nature. As thousands of people travel through Mount Horeb each day, we want to invite them and welcome them to our quirky town.