Some have structures that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, like the 1858 cobblestone Franklyn Hazelo House on R-25 in Racine County. Some of the roads follow their original lines, including Flambeau Trail (R-100), a route that served Native Americans at the northern Wisconsin border.
R-64 in LaCrosse County, southwest Wisconsin. Each road has its own web page at the Wisconsin DOT website, with a map and descriptions of what to see on the road. There’s history on the Rustic Roads, too. I wondered how many people stop to visit the graves today. Before highways bypassed this town, the cemetery would have been on a main road. They were dark and weathered, but clearly extravagant memorials from another era. I stopped at a small cemetery in Lyons filled with old, beautifully-carved headstones.
From woods and marshes to tree tunnels and steep downward drives, the Rustic Road system has something for everyone-pull over, get out, and take it all in. It’s fun to take a turn, never knowing what will be around the bend. Rustic Roads can get curvy, but with very little traffic, there’s less stress. Acres of corn followed the gentle slopes of the land. Red barns on stone foundations looked idyllic. As I kept driving, I realized just how long it had been since I‘d truly taken in my surroundings. Wolf packs and elk sightings are not uncommon on Rustic Roads in northern Wisconsin. On other roads, I saw flocks of wild turkeys, small herds of deer, and several red foxes. No sooner had I started down R-12, in Walworth County, than I had to stop to let a Sandhill Crane cross the road. Then I saw another sign, and another, and decided to return. I briefly wondered what a Rustic Road was, but hurried on. I had a ticket for a tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright building there, and was worried I’d be late. I didn’t know any of this when I saw the first Rustic Road sign on my way to Racine in southeast Wisconsin. Motorcyclists who travel more than 10 roads can even earn special awards from the Wisconsin DOT. You can’t get lost or stranded on a Rustic Road it must be a loop or connected to a major highway at both ends. The maximum speed limit is 45 mph-but during my drives, it never exceeded 35 mph. It can be dirt, gravel, or paved, and one or two lanes, but it must be at least two miles long. The road must have public access and not be scheduled for any major improvements that would change its present qualities. A local government, community, or individual can apply if proper qualifications are met: The road must have exceptional natural features, such as native vegetation and wildlife, a rugged terrain, scenic open vistas, or agricultural views. Not just any byway can be designated as a Rustic Road, Bonneville explains. The signs indicate that there’s something special to see, and each drive has a story to share. With 122 Rustic Roads scattered across 61 counties, covering more than 740 miles, they’re easy to find and explore. The roads are all marked with brown and yellow signs, each identified with the letter “R” and a number. R-1, which opened in 1975 near Rib Lake in northwest Wisconsin, kicked off the program with its five-mile gravel road passing through the 12,000-year-old Ice Age National Scenic Trail.Ī Sandhill Crane crossing the road. The Wisconsin State Legislature established the Rustic Road system in 1973. “It’s a unique state and local partnership with a preservation focus that continues to grow,” says Liat Bonneville, Rustic Roads coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT). Reminiscent of a Sunday drive-when families piled in the car, rolled down the windows, and took off to see the sights-Wisconsin has made a deliberate effort to sustain its less-traveled routes. The Rustic Roads belong to a program that honors the American tradition of a leisurely car trip-the purpose of which is simply to slow down and enjoy the scenery. When I finally did take that detour, I discovered Wisconsin’s Rustic Roads. For years, as I headed north from Illinois and sped by the small towns and farms, I promised myself that next time I would add a day and get off the highway. My intent was always to get there as quickly as possible, at best an eight-hour drive with only short stops for fuel and food. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve hurried through Wisconsin on my way to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to visit my sister.
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