Near Lily in Langlade County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Military Road

Photographed by Keith L, October 10, 2010

1. Old Military Road Marker

Inscription. In March 1863 Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of Congress which enabled the states of Michigan and Wisconsin to begin construction of a road between Fort Howard at Green Bay and Fort Wilkins near Copper Harbor. It took one year to build the road from Fort Howard to Keshena. By 1869 it had reached the Michigan state line. First used for transporting federal troops and supplies, the road also was used by explorers, settlers, trappers and hunters. By the turn of the century it became an artery for the lumbering interests who kept the road repaired until it became a part of the State trunk highway system in 1923. Along this road are many points of historic and legendary interest. Nine Mile Creek, Langlade and Lily were important logging centers. Way stations were established during the 1880s at the Otter Slide, three miles north of Sullivan Falls, the Gauthier Place near Shotgun Eddy, and Mag Lawe's station, two miles north of Keshena Falls, and served both the lumber trade and weary travelers.

Erected 1962 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 119.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Military • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1863.

Location. 45° 20.208′ N, 88° 53.643′ W. Marker is near Lily, Wisconsin, in Langlade County. It is on State Highway 55 3.7 miles north of State Highway 52 W, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: N8722 Highway 55, White Lake WI 54491, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest

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 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Battle of Mole Lake (approx. 11 miles away); De Langlade (approx. 12.8 miles away); Mecikalski Stovewood Building (approx. 14.6

Photographed by Keith L, October 10, 2010

2. Old Military Road Marker

miles away).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers in the database about the Military Road from Fort Howard at Green Bay, to Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien, that was built in 1835.

Highway 55 (Old Military Road) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 10, 2010

3. Highway 55 (Old Military Road)

Military Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 10, 2010

4. Military Park

Sign on Shelter image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 10, 2010

5. Sign on Shelter

The Witman Center
This shelter is dedicated to John Witman, Town Chairman Town of Langlade 1981 - 2000
by the Witman family.

Wolf River at Military Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 10, 2010

6. Wolf River at Military Park

Looking Upriver

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,421 times since then and 142 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 12, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.