“In November 1868, George Whitney and family left New Brunswick, Canada for Knowlton, Wisconsin. They went by boat to Quebec and by rail from there to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. From Oshkosh to Weyauwega by boat and from that place to Stevens Point by stagecoach. When they reached Stevens Point they had to go on to Knowlton, 15 miles north, by boat. The family purchased a cow in Stevens Point and it was up to the oldest son to lead the cow to Knowlton. The family started north on a boat at the same time the son started north on the road which was just a trail through the timber, nevertheless, boy and cow arrived at Knowlton two, and one half hours before the boat arrived.” At this time it was a whole day’s journey from Stevens Point to Knowlton.

A history of Wisconsin’s roads, well and little known, would make a most interesting story. Read about the building of the Old Military Road, the Plank roads from Lake Michigan inland, the roads built to bring mail in to settlers.

First appeared in The Pinery November 7, 1961