Rib Lake in Taylor County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Rustic Road
Photographed by Keith L, September 15, 2011
1. Rustic Road Marker
This historical marker commemorates the first official Rustic Road in Wisconsin following state legislation authorizing the maintenance and identification of scenic roadways under the State Rustic roads Board of the Department of Transportation. With its dedication September 27, 1975, this road became one of the first roads in the nation to be preserved for its rustic and scenic characteristics.
Rustic Road Number One winds for approximately five miles from this site, through outstanding forested glacial topography. When originally laid out as a town road in 1895, the surveyors attempted to follow surveyed section lines, but the road had to be curved around the numerous lakes it encountered.
The road has been witness to the cutting of the original pine and hardwood forest, the collection of hemlock bark for the now-defunct tanning industry, and the creation and later abandonment of dairy farms.
Rustic Road Number One is intended by the Rustic Roads Board to be the first of a state-wide network of Rustic Roads maintained for unhurried, quiet and leisurely enjoyment.
Erected 1976. (Marker Number 232.)
Topics and series.
this page online
Location. 45° 22.072′ N, 90° 8.545′ W. Marker is in Rib Lake, Wisconsin, in Taylor County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 102 and Berry Avenue, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 102. Five miles east of Rib Lake on State Hwy 102, on the south (right) side of the highway as you travel east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rib Lake WI 54470, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, 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 3 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rib Lake Lumber Company
Photographed by Paul F, September 3, 2009
2. Rustic Road Marker
Photographed by Greta Schassler, July 27, 2025
3. Rustic Road Marker
Photographed by Keith L, September 15, 2011
4. Rustic Road Marker
Photographed by Keith L, September 15, 2011
5. Rustic Road Marker Pull-off
Photographed by Keith L, September 15, 2011
6. Rustic Road Number One
Photographed by Paul F, September 3, 2009
7. Rustic Road Marker
Photographed by Keith L, September 15, 2011
8. Signs by Highway
Photographed by Keith L, September 15, 2011
9. Sign at Marker
Wisconsin Department of Transportation Custodial care and landscape maintenance at this location provided by Black River Industries while employing Wisconsin's citizens with disabilities Program management services provided by Rehabilitation for Wisconsin, Inc.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,639 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 27, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on April 29, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on July 27, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 27, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 7. submitted on April 29, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 8, 9. submitted on September 27, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
