“A mere glance at the map will show what astonishing advantages for navigation the ‘Author of Nature’ has given to this Territory.”
Henry Able, Emigrants and Travelers, 1838

As Wisconsin became settled and counties were created
in the years before the Civil War, map makers continued
to focus on waterways. OPM #SC350.046
Click here to view a larger version of the map above

When the lands of eastern Wisconsin opened for settlement, potential settlers to the new territory had many questions and concerns. How would people travel and how would they transport their belongings? Once farms and businesses were established, could they easily get their products to market?

A military road was constructed in 1835-1838. The 30’ wide road linked Fort Winnebago in Portage, Fort Howard in Green Bay, Fort Crawford in Prairie du Chien and Fort Dearborn in Illinois. Taverns and small villages were built along the road at key spots. In addition to the military road, secondary trails often followed former Indian trails, but they were not usually wide enough for wagons. Building roads in the wilderness was not a practical solution because they were expensive and difficult to construct. There were many rivers and streams to cross and roads were impassible in wet weather. In the era before railroads, the answer was transport by water.

The incredible system of waterways in eastern Wisconsin was a key feature in encouraging settlement. They were the interstate highways of the 19th century. In the 1850s, canals were completed that linked key river systems. From Oshkosh, boats carrying people and goods could follow the Fox River north leading to Green Bay. They could also travel inland, up the Fox River, to Portage. From there, a boat could go through the canal to the Wisconsin River and then down to the great Mississippi River. Boats could go up and down Lake Winnebago, serving communities located along the lake. The waterways became one of the most important natural features that persuaded people to settle here in the years before the Civil War.