Goerke's Corners, Wisconsin
Encyclopedia
Goerke's Corners is a former unincorporated community in the Town of Brookfield
, in Waukesha County
, Wisconsin
, United States
, at latitude 43°02'11" N and longitude 088°09'58" W. It is now the location of a major highway
intersection, and the site of a park-and-ride lot.
was built through this area during 1848-54, and a spur to Waukesha
in 1850. The current name comes from Frederick Goerke, blacksmith, wagonmaker, and innkeeper in this area in the 1870s. A post office was located there (under the name Blodgett) from 1885 to 1895, with Frederick Goerke as postmaster.
The first segment of Interstate 94
through this area was opened in 1958. By the late 20th century, this intersection, now involving Wisconsin Highway 164, U.S. Route 18
and Interstate 94, had become one of the busiest in southeastern Wisconsin. It is the site of a park-and-ride lot used by Badger Bus
, the Milwaukee County Transit System
, and others. The former site of the settlement is now taken up by shopping centers, office buildings and their parking lots.
Brookfield (town), Wisconsin
Brookfield is a town in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 6,390 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Goerke's Corner is located in the town.-Religion:...
, in Waukesha County
Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Waukesha County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2008, the population was 380,629. Its county seat is Waukesha.-History:The part of Wisconsin that Waukesha County now occupies was a part of Michigan when Milwaukee County was organized in September 1834. On July 4, 1836, the...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, at latitude 43°02'11" N and longitude 088°09'58" W. It is now the location of a major highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
intersection, and the site of a park-and-ride lot.
History
This crossroads was originally called Storyville, after one Augustus Story who settled in the area about 1837. It was later known as Blodgett or Blodgett's Corners, probably for one Chester Blodgett who arrived in 1843. The Watertown Plank Road between Milwaukee and WatertownWatertown, Wisconsin
Watertown is a city in Dodge and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Most of the city's population is in Jefferson County. Division Street, several blocks north of downtown, marks the county line. The population of Watertown was 21,598 at the 2000 census...
was built through this area during 1848-54, and a spur to Waukesha
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Waukesha is a city in and the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. The population was 70,718 at the 2010 census, making it the largest community in the county and 7th largest in the state. The city is located adjacent to the Town of Waukesha...
in 1850. The current name comes from Frederick Goerke, blacksmith, wagonmaker, and innkeeper in this area in the 1870s. A post office was located there (under the name Blodgett) from 1885 to 1895, with Frederick Goerke as postmaster.
The first segment of Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
through this area was opened in 1958. By the late 20th century, this intersection, now involving Wisconsin Highway 164, U.S. Route 18
U.S. Route 18
U.S. Route 18 is an east–west U.S. highway in the Midwestern United States. The western terminus is in Orin, Wyoming at an interchange with Interstate 25. Its eastern terminus of US 18 is in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. However, US 18 runs concurrent with other U.S...
and Interstate 94, had become one of the busiest in southeastern Wisconsin. It is the site of a park-and-ride lot used by Badger Bus
Badger Bus
The Badger Bus is an interurban bus line operating between Madison, Wisconsin and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It also offers charters and tours, and operates school buses under contract.-History:...
, the Milwaukee County Transit System
Milwaukee County Transit System
The Milwaukee County Transit System is the largest transit agency in Wisconsin, and is the primary transit provider for Milwaukee county. It ranks among the top 50 transit agencies in the United States...
, and others. The former site of the settlement is now taken up by shopping centers, office buildings and their parking lots.