Gwen's Creations

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19/03/2024

Thomas Cramer

01/01/2024

A picture of the first numbered highway markers in the world. Wisconsin was the first place in the entire world to have a numbered highway system which was established in 1917 and signed in 1918.

Before highways were numbered, there were several auto trails which were signed by organizations, commercial groups, and oil companies. There was no consistency with signage and they were confusing. Wisconsin banned most auto trails with the Yellowstone Trail as an exception in favor of a numbered highway system. The purpose was to provide an easy to follow route system with consistent signage. After Wisconsin, Michigan created its own and soon after, other states and regions followed suit.

This photo was taken near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Wis 15 became US 41 and Wis 16 became Wis 29. The picture is from the Wisconsin Historical Society and was taken in the late 1910s. What do you think of the original design?