Highway 26 (Wisconsin)
Encyclopedia
State Trunk Highway 26 (often called Highway 26, STH 26 or WIS 26) is a state highway in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. The route is generally two-lane with the exception of a few urban multi-lane arterials. WIS 26 provides direct access from Janesville
and Oshkosh
to Waupun
, Watertown
and Fort Atkinson
.
at US 51
(North Parker Drive), and follows East Centerway Street, to turn northeast on Milton Ave. WIS 26 crosses US 14
and I-39 / I-90
on the northeast side of the city. WIS 26 then passes through Milton
at about five miles (8 km) northeast of the Interstates. WIS 59 crosses WIS 26 in Milton. WIS 26 crosses over to Jefferson County
about five miles (8 km) north of Milton. the highway turns northeast at the county line and approaches Fort Atkinson
, but turns northwestard prior to entering the city, and bypasses it to the west along a two-lane road with interchange
s. direct access is provided to WIS 106 and US 12
. WIS 89 crosses the route, but no direct access is provided. WIS 26 then continues north for four miles (6 km) into Jefferson
, where it crosses US 18
. The highway passes through Johnson Creek at the interchange with I-94
. After crossing WIS 19 in Watertown
, the highway crosses into Dodge County
On the Dodge County side of Watertown, WIS 26 joins WIS 16 west. The concurrency continues for eight miles (13 km) to Clyman
where WIS 16 turns westward onto WIS 60 west, and WIS 60 East joins WIS 26 for one mile (1.6 km) before turning eastward. WIS 26 passes through Juneau then crosses WIS 33 three miles (5 km) north of Juneau. After eleven more miles, WIS 26 crosses US 151 and passes through Waupun. WIS 26 joins US 151 crosses into Fond du Lac County
at its junction with WIS 49 in Waupun. WIS 26 joins US 151 for one mile (1.6 km) then turns north off the US route. After ten miles (16 km), the highway crosses WIS 23 in Rosendale
. The highway then angles northeastward over the remaining seven miles (11 km) before entering Winnebago County
Four more miles into the county the route terminates at its interchange with US 41
, about two miles (3 km) south of the Wittman Regional Airport
, site of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
. 1921 saw WIS 26 extended via Kewaskum
and Waldo
to end at Sheboygan - via present-day Wisconsin Highway 28. In 1924, the route was realigned. From Juneau, it followed its present alignment to US 41 and into Oshkosh, then continued north from that point along present day WIS 76 up to Greenville
, turning westward onto present-day WIS 15 there to continue to New London
. From there, the route followed present-day US 45
, passing through Clintonville
, Wittenberg
, Antigo
and Eagle River
. The route connected with then M-26
. WIS 26 was also concurrent with WIS 10 south of Janesville. 1934 saw the debut of US 45, which replaced WIS 26 from Oshkosh northward. The route was truncated on the southern end to end at Janesville in the late 1940s.
One bypass was constructed for WIS 26 - around Fort Atkinson to the west - in the 1990s. Milton, Jefferson, and Watertown have also plans and designs initiated for bypasses.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. The route is generally two-lane with the exception of a few urban multi-lane arterials. WIS 26 provides direct access from Janesville
Janesville, Wisconsin
Janesville is a city in southern Wisconsin, United States. It is the county seat of Rock County and the principal municipality of the Janesville, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 62,998.-History:...
and Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
to Waupun
Waupun, Wisconsin
Waupun is a city in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 10,718 at the 2000 census. In Fond du Lac County, there is also the Town of Waupun which abuts the city of Waupun....
, Watertown
Watertown, 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...
and Fort Atkinson
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Fort Atkinson is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located on the Rock River, a few miles upstream from Lake Koshkonong. In 1996, Money Magazine named Fort Atkinson "One of America's Hottest Little Boomtowns." The population was 11,621 at the 2000 census.- History :Fort...
.
Route description
WIS 26 begins in downtown Janesville, Rock CountyRock County, Wisconsin
-Unincorporated communities:-Further reading:* . Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908....
at US 51
U.S. Route 51 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 51 runs north–south down the central part of the state...
(North Parker Drive), and follows East Centerway Street, to turn northeast on Milton Ave. WIS 26 crosses US 14
U.S. Route 14 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 14 runs northwest-southeast across the western to southwest portions of the state. It links La Crosse and the southwestern portion of the state with Madison and Janesville...
and I-39 / I-90
Interstate 90 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, Interstate 90 runs east–west through the western, central and southern portions of the state. A total of of Interstate 90 lie in Wisconsin.-Route description:...
on the northeast side of the city. WIS 26 then passes through Milton
Milton, Wisconsin
Milton is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,090 at the 2000 census .-History:The city was formed as a result of the 1967 merger of the villages of Milton and Milton Junction...
at about five miles (8 km) northeast of the Interstates. WIS 59 crosses WIS 26 in Milton. WIS 26 crosses over to Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 74,021. Its county seat is Jefferson.-Geography:According to the U.S...
about five miles (8 km) north of Milton. the highway turns northeast at the county line and approaches Fort Atkinson
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Fort Atkinson is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located on the Rock River, a few miles upstream from Lake Koshkonong. In 1996, Money Magazine named Fort Atkinson "One of America's Hottest Little Boomtowns." The population was 11,621 at the 2000 census.- History :Fort...
, but turns northwestard prior to entering the city, and bypasses it to the west along a two-lane road with interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
s. direct access is provided to WIS 106 and US 12
U.S. Route 12 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 12 runs east–west across the western to southeast portions of the state...
. WIS 89 crosses the route, but no direct access is provided. WIS 26 then continues north for four miles (6 km) into Jefferson
Jefferson, Wisconsin
Jefferson is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, and is its county seat. It is located at the confluence of the Rock and Crawfish Rivers. The population was 7,338 at the 2000 census. The city is located partially within the Town of Jefferson.-History:...
, where it crosses US 18
U.S. Route 18 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 18 runs east–west across the southern part of the state. The highway serves as major connecting route between Madison and the southwest corner of the state...
. The highway passes through Johnson Creek at the interchange with I-94
Interstate 94 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, Interstate 94 runs east–west through the western, central and southeastern portions of the state.-Route description:A total of of Interstate 94 lie in Wisconsin....
. After crossing WIS 19 in Watertown
Watertown, 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...
, the highway crosses into Dodge County
Dodge County, Wisconsin
Dodge County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 88,759. Its county seat is Juneau.-Geography:According to the U.S...
On the Dodge County side of Watertown, WIS 26 joins WIS 16 west. The concurrency continues for eight miles (13 km) to Clyman
Clyman, Wisconsin
Clyman is a village in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 388 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Clyman.-Geography:Clyman is located at ....
where WIS 16 turns westward onto WIS 60 west, and WIS 60 East joins WIS 26 for one mile (1.6 km) before turning eastward. WIS 26 passes through Juneau then crosses WIS 33 three miles (5 km) north of Juneau. After eleven more miles, WIS 26 crosses US 151 and passes through Waupun. WIS 26 joins US 151 crosses into Fond du Lac County
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
Fond du Lac County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 97,296. Its county seat is Fond du Lac. The United States Census Bureau's Fond du Lac Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Fond du Lac County. The county name is French for "bottom of the...
at its junction with WIS 49 in Waupun. WIS 26 joins US 151 for one mile (1.6 km) then turns north off the US route. After ten miles (16 km), the highway crosses WIS 23 in Rosendale
Rosendale, Wisconsin
Rosendale is a village in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 923 at the 2000 census. The village is located partially within the Town of Rosendale and partially within the Town of Springvale.-History:...
. The highway then angles northeastward over the remaining seven miles (11 km) before entering Winnebago County
Winnebago County, Wisconsin
Winnebago County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 163,370. Its county seat is Oshkosh. Winnebago County is included in the Oshkosh, Wisconsin-Neenah, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
Four more miles into the county the route terminates at its interchange with US 41
U.S. Route 41 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Highway 41 runs north–south the eastern side of the state. It enters from Illinois at Pleasant Prairie, and runs north to its northern terminus at the Michigan border at Marinette, WI.-Route description:US-41 is a freeway for nearly 70% of its route...
, about two miles (3 km) south of the Wittman Regional Airport
Wittman Regional Airport
Wittman Regional Airport is a public airport located two miles south of the central business district of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. The airport is owned and operated by Winnebago County. Wittman Field, as it sometimes called, is used almost exclusively for general aviation, but has...
, site of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
History
The original 1917 alignment of WIS 26 mostly followed the current alignment south of Juneau, but the segment north of Juneau was directed towards TheresaTheresa, Wisconsin
Theresa is a village in Dodge County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,252 at the 2000 census. The village is within the Town of Theresa.-Geography:Theresa is located at ....
. 1921 saw WIS 26 extended via Kewaskum
Kewaskum, Wisconsin
Kewaskum is a village in Washington and Fond du Lac counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,274 at the 2000 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Kewaskum.-History:...
and Waldo
Waldo, Wisconsin
Waldo is a village in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, United States, along the Onion River. The population was 450 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
to end at Sheboygan - via present-day Wisconsin Highway 28. In 1924, the route was realigned. From Juneau, it followed its present alignment to US 41 and into Oshkosh, then continued north from that point along present day WIS 76 up to Greenville
Greenville, Wisconsin
Greenville is a town located in south central Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. It is one of 18 communities that form the basis of the Fox Cities, the third largest metropolitan area in Wisconsin. The population was 6,844 at the 2000 census, however 2008 estimates place the population at...
, turning westward onto present-day WIS 15 there to continue to New London
New London, Wisconsin
New London is a city in Outagamie and Waupaca Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 7,295 at the 2010 census. The city has a Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Irish Fest, and week-long festivities, when the city's name is changed to "New Dublin" for the week. The American Water...
. From there, the route followed present-day US 45
U.S. Route 45 in Wisconsin
In the U.S. state of Wisconsin, U.S. Route 45 runs north–south through the eastern and northern portions of the state.-Route description:...
, passing through Clintonville
Clintonville, Wisconsin
Clintonville is a city in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,736 at the 2000 census.- Geography :Clintonville is located at 44°37'27" North, 88°45'29" West ....
, Wittenberg
Wittenberg, Wisconsin
Wittenberg is a village in Shawano County, Wisconsin, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,177 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Wittenberg.-Geography:Wittenberg is located at ....
, Antigo
Antigo, Wisconsin
Antigo is a city in and the county seat of Langlade County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 8,560 at the 2000 census. Antigo is the center of a farming and lumbering district, and its manufactures consist principally of lumber, chairs, furniture, sashes, doors and blinds, hubs and...
and Eagle River
Eagle River, Wisconsin
Eagle River is a city in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,443 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Vilas County. The city is known for being a popular "Northwoods" vacation town...
. The route connected with then M-26
M-26 (Michigan highway)
M-26 is a state trunkline highway in the U.S. state of Michigan, running from two miles east of Rockland to its junction with US Highway 41 in Copper Harbor. It generally runs southwest-to-northeast in the western half or Michigan's Upper Peninsula...
. WIS 26 was also concurrent with WIS 10 south of Janesville. 1934 saw the debut of US 45, which replaced WIS 26 from Oshkosh northward. The route was truncated on the southern end to end at Janesville in the late 1940s.
One bypass was constructed for WIS 26 - around Fort Atkinson to the west - in the 1990s. Milton, Jefferson, and Watertown have also plans and designs initiated for bypasses.