[3] One legend states that Viroqua was the name of the daughter of Black Hawk, but this is not supported by evidence.

[3] Another story attributes the name to a Mohawk Indian actress who performed in a theater on the East Coast or in Brantford, Canada.

[3] However, the town most likely took its name from the fictional lead character of the 1848 novel Viroqua, or, the Flower of the Ottawas by Emma Carra.

The Ho-Chunk, formerly known as the Winnebago, are a Siouan-speaking people who lived in the western Great Lakes region for thousands of years.

A deed for 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land was promised by pioneer Moses Decker, on condition that Viroqua be chosen as the county seat.

[8] Earlier settlers arrived in 1844 and built lumber mills on the Kickapoo River.

[9] In early 1851, the act authorizing the organization of Bad Axe, now Vernon County, was approved by Governor Nelson Dewey.

Viroqua was awarded the county seat, pending a permanent location to be determined by a vote.

[12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.80 square miles (9.84 km2), all land.

Viroqua was on the new airways route between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Rockford, Illinois, when it was established in June 1932.

Viroqua was formerly served by a Milwaukee Road branch line from Sparta via Leon, Melvina, Cashton and Westby.

Commuter bus service towards La Crosse is provided seven times daily per direction by Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit.

Viroqua was dubbed "The Town That Beat Walmart" by Smithsonian Magazine in 1992 because it fostered businesses that co-exist with the retail giant.

[27] Viroqua is a site of food tourism, as surrounding Vernon County is home to one of the highest densities of organic farms in the country, with over 200 in the area.

A $1.6 million restoration of the 1922 classical revival style vaudeville and movie theater was driven by volunteers.

[citation needed] There are a large number of organic farms in the Driftless Region surrounding Viroqua,[citation needed] which supports startup business ventures, restaurants, and a budding tourism industry.