Ixonia in Jefferson County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Highway Marking
Photographed By Paul F, November 7, 2010
1. Highway Marking Marker
Inscription.
Highway Marking. . In the old days when both automobiles and roads were few in number, it was easy for those who had cars to get far enough away from home to get lost. While there were some “trails” such as the Cannon Ball Trail and the Yellowstone Trail (marked by daubs of yellow paint on any convenient object along the roadside) the long-distance traveler was usually guided by such natural features as hills, boulders, creeks and rivers, or by man-made landmarks (bridges, barns, schoolhouses, etc.). In 1917 the Wisconsin Highway Commission engineers recommended and inaugurated, with the Legislature’s authorization, the first statewide system of identifying highways by number. This highway was designated State Trunk Highway 19 (later U.S. 16) and was the first to be marked and signed by numerals. The now familiar number system was later adopted by all other states and many foreign countries.
In the old days when both automobiles and roads were few in number, it was easy for those who had cars to get far enough away from home to get lost. While there were some “trails” such as the Cannon Ball Trail and the Yellowstone Trail (marked by daubs of yellow paint on any convenient object along the roadside) the long-distance traveler was usually guided by such natural features as hills, boulders, creeks and rivers, or by man-made landmarks (bridges, barns, schoolhouses, etc.). In 1917 the Wisconsin Highway Commission engineers recommended and inaugurated, with the Legislature’s authorization, the first statewide system of identifying highways by number. This highway was designated State Trunk Highway 19 (later U.S. 16) and was the first to be marked and signed by numerals. The now familiar number system was later adopted by all other states and many foreign countries.
Erected 1956 by State Historical Society of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 46.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 43° 8.349′ N, 88° 34.422′ W. Marker is in Ixonia, Wisconsin,
Click or scan to see this page online
in Jefferson County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 16, 2 miles County Route F. Marker is located in the rest area near the Rock River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ixonia WI 53036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 931 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on September 12, 2015, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 8, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
