Near Dodgeville in Iowa County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Old Military Road

Photographed by Gordon Govier, January 20, 2005

1. Old Military Road Marker

Inscription. You are traveling the route of the Old Military Road, built in 1835-36, to connect Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien and Fort Howard at Green Bay, via Fort Winnebago at "The Portage" between the Fox-Wisconsin rivers. The section from Prairie du Chien to Fort Winnebago was built by soldiers from Fort Crawford, under command of Colonel (later president) Zachary Taylor. The road was crudely constructed two rods in width, with corduroy over the marshy places. Describing his travels over this road in March 1855, Herbert Quick wrote: "Here we went, oxen, cows, mules, horses; coaches, carriages, blue jeans, corduroys, rags, tatters, silks, satin, caps, tall hats, poverty, riches; speculators, missionaries, land-hunters, merchants ···· a nation on wheels, an empire in the commotion and pangs of birth."

Erected 1955 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 38.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #12 Zachary Taylor, and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1855.

Location. 42° 58.782′ N, 90° 3.592′ W. Marker is near Dodgeville

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, Wisconsin, in Iowa County. It is at the intersection of County Highway Y and Canyon Park Road, on the right when traveling west on County Highway Y. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dodgeville WI 53533, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Iowa County Courthouse (approx. 3.8 miles away); Dodge Mining Camp Cabin (approx. 3.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.8 miles away); Dodge's Grove and Fort Union (approx. 5.3 miles away); Shake Rag (approx. 10.1 miles away); Wisconsin Territory (approx. 10.2 miles away); Site of Fort Jackson (approx. 10.3 miles away); Historic Mineral Point (approx. 10.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dodgeville.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Additional markers on and about the Wisconsin Military Road

Additional keywords. Wisconsin Highways

Photographed by Greta Schassler, May 18, 2025

2. Old Military Road Marker

Military Road Highway View image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gordon Govier, January 20, 2005

3. Military Road Highway View

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,753 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on October 12, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on September 20, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on May 18, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on September 20, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.