Cuba City in Grant County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Whistle Post

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2017

1. The Whistle Post Marker

Inscription. Wayside railroad signs were once a common sight along the railroad tracks. In the classic railroad era each company usually had their own style of wayside signs they used, although one which became universal was the whistle post. The whistle post was a concrete post around 4 feet tall with a large "W" engraved or painted on it (see below). This meant the railroad engineers were to start sounding the whistle, usually two long, one short and one long.

The whistle posts were usually placed one-quarter mile in advance of a road crossing, rail yards with men working, bridges, tunnels and other points. The engineer would keep sounding the whistles until the train reached the crossing, etc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 42° 36.305′ N, 90° 25.857′ W. Marker is in Cuba City, Wisconsin, in Grant County. It is on South Main Street (State Road 80) south of West Webster Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker and whistle post are located in the Cuba City Presidential Courtyard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 South Main Street, Cuba City WI 53807, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: City of Presidents — Presidential Shields (here, next to this marker);

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The Chimes of Time (here, next to this marker); Railroad Track Width (a few steps from this marker); The Speeder Car w/Tools (within shouting distance of this marker); Baggage / Milk Cart (within shouting distance of this marker); Tools of the Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); The Milk Trains (within shouting distance of this marker); Semaphore Signal (Traffic Signal) (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cuba City.

Whistle Post & Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2017

2. Whistle Post & Marker

Cuba City Presidential Courtyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2017

3. Cuba City Presidential Courtyard

(whistle post & marker beside sidewalk on right)

Whistle Post image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, January 23, 2008

4. Whistle Post

(Nature Coast State Trail, Old Town, Florida
long • long • short • long)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 28, 2013

5. Whistle Post

(Pine Creek Rail Trail, Cedar Run, Pennsylvania)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,727 times since then and 251 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 16, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.