Milestones

For decades, Marge Miley helped us all remember the stories, lessons, and people of days gone by through her wonderful “Milestones” column.  We all tend to measure our lives and history through major events, or milestones, such as a move, marriage, birth of our children, or the passing of a loved one.  As we look back at our lives, these events stand out and give us perspective. 

In the early days of Manitowoc County, before today’s maze of signs, billboards and advertisements were constructed, people literally used milestones to guide and direct them.  Before the settlement of our county in the 1830’s, our woods and waters were navigated by canoe and traveled on narrow footpaths.  Milestones marked the way. 

As settlers flocked here, crude roads were blazed through the wilderness.  The first was a military road from Fort Howard in Green Bay to Fort Dearborn in Chicago.  Other early roads were plank roads, constructed of oak boards laid across heavy timbers.   One such road was constructed in Manitowoc starting at what is now N. 11th Street and Waldo Boulevard.  Now Menasha Avenue, the toll road cost travelers ten cents and gave them the right to travel up to ten miles.  However, funds ran out and the road was never built longer than two miles. 

With more people came more roads, mostly dirt, more or less doing the trick, considering that they were being traveled by horse drawn carriages and sleighs.  Then came the Automobile.  Rising in production from just under four thousand in 1899 to nearly four hundred thousand in 1912, the “horseless carriage” took the nation by storm.  Dirt paths simply would no longer do.  During the 1920’s a State Highway Commission was established to build our modern system of hard-paved roads. 

We cannot deny the impact that today’s cars and roadways have upon our lives.  Just look at how Manitowoc County has changed since the construction of Interstate 43.  Traffic patterns, business centers, and driving habits have changed dramatically.  Yet, mile markers still adorn the side of the highway.  Looking back, the old adage proves true.  The more things change the more they stay the same.  Milestones along a dirt path may have been replaced by highly reflective green signs that go by at 65 miles per hour, but we still feel the need to know exactly how far we have traveled and how far our destination lies ahead. 

Marge provided these milestones for us as highways were built and our world changed.  Today, the Manitowoc County Historical Society is proud to help you keep one eye on the rear view mirror to look into the past as we speed through today’s modern world.  Let us know what interests you and we’ll see what we can dig up.  We look forward to looking back with you and passing a few Milestones as we go.