DeSoto, Wisconsin, USA

The Mississippi River in Merriam-Webster's Geographical Dictionary, 3rd ed., 1997, p. 748: "Navigable river, cen. U.S.; rises in Lake Itasca, NW Minnesota, flows . . . into the Gulf of Mexico through several mouths known locally as The Passes – Main Pass, North Pass, South Pass, Southwest Pass; 2340 mi." High water! [2019] 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Whether you consider it litter or glitter, the red plastic Solo cup has found a secure niche in celebratory culture everywhere. Yet, it comes as a shock when you see something so ordinary and unappreciated glorified in public art. Solo suggests one use, and it was originally applied to its paper predecessors. [2021]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! Let's hope somebody is archiving these signs for the Covid museum, or at least documenting them digitally. Here is one you could find only in Milwaukee. See how they have incorporated the city's name (airport code) into the message? Be sure to see tomorrow's post.[2021]
 

Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, USA

No Cardinal Hickory Creek power line! Here in Mount Horeb, it seems like just a Horeb-le idea. Some would say whore-able. Big money (ATC) always thinks it can just pay to desecrate a unique environment, in this case the Driftless Area. Yes, it escaped the glaciers, but it may not escape rapacious capitalism! A Horeb-le thought to end a horrible year! [2019]

Prescott, Wisconsin, USA

The massive, industrial-strength, vertical-lift bridge in Prescott carries the BNSF rail line across the St. Croix River between Wisconsin and Minnesota. Information on the bridge, though, is hard to find. Why has some master's thesis not been done on this bridge? Perhaps because theses are no longer required for such degrees! 😬Bitter lament. [2021]

Deerfield, Wisconsin, USA

The Schuster Barn: When you have something unique, capitalize on it! The round Schuster Barn has been turned into Schuster's Farm (see logo below), which now offers seasonal produce and activities for much of the year. Fortunately, it is located not far from the Madison metropolitan area which supplies a steady flow of customers. [1985]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

How far back in history does the inspiration for this pillar-mural go? Perhaps 2500 years! Here be the descendants of ancient caryatids and telamons, re-purposed to hold up an expressway rather than a building. Look again: It's not a pretzel, it's Interstate 794. [2021]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

In the city that gave the world mass produced, industrial-era beer, we are now seeing the rise of craft beer and, in this case, craft distilleries. What's even better: Central Standard is rehabbing an historic downtown building. But the name? Both central and standard just wreak of mediocrity and the industrial-era past. But, maybe that's the point. [2021]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Seventeen states have already enacted laws that put restrictions on voting. Many in the Wisconsin legislature hope to follow suit, with eleven bills, most of which target absentee voting. None have yet passed, so maybe Milwaukee's new mural will change some minds. Thank you Shepard Fairey! Recognize the name of the muralist? [2021]

Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Wisconsin's current capitol was built in 1917. Amazingly, it has always been a true capitol, serving as home to all three branches of state government: the governor, the legislature, and the supreme court. In other states, that is not always the case. On this date in 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state to join the Union. [2019 and 1991]

Montfort, Wisconsin, USA

The whole renewable fuels era is beginning to look a lot like these sleek wind turbines (with a nod to their ancestors, the windmills of old). In the renewable energy arena, the wind turbine has even surmounted hydroelectricity, accounting for 43% of electricity generated from renewables. Already, they are helping us get ready for the era of all-electric cars. [2019] 

Montfort, Wisconsin, USA

 

If you're proud of your community, get its name out there. Put it where everyone can see it. Water towers are perfect. In fact, every water tower in the world should proudly proclaim pride in the place that erected it. Let Montfort set the example. [2019]

Dodgeville, Wisconsin, USA

Compact urban form and walkability: Every once in a while you find an old store-front movie theater that is still operating. Today, the competition is not only from suburban mega-theaters, but also from streaming. Plus, advances in projection technology and theater comfort mean that they can often not afford to keep up. [2019]

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, USA

The easiest element of branding is getting your town's name out there. Put it everywhere you can think of, including the water tower. Then, make your campaign a "toponym-plus" effort by finding other characteristics that are unique: Trolls perhaps. Without branding, street signs are so industrial-era; make them post-industrial, make them unique. [2019]

Fennimore, Wisconsin, USA

Are bikers extraterrestrials? That seems to be the question posed by this mural with its silhouetted E.T. theme. But, there is also an E.C. theme there: Extra Chronological. When you are out on the open road, time and the universe stand still. [2019]

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, USA

Velkommen to the troll capital of America, Mt. Horeb, where Main Street is called the Trollway. With two dozen trolls around town, visitors quickly get the idea that the folks here are proud of their Norwegian heritage. [2019]

Two Rivers, Wisconsin, USA

The Ethnic Festival in Two Rivers is now in its 27th year, and the theme has never been more relevant. The city at the confluence of the East Twin and West Twin, however, may have a different definition of ethnic diversity than its peers in New Jersey or California. Whatever the specifics, however, let's all Celebrate Diversity in whatever form it takes. [1995]

Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA

Cedar Crest is both a dairy and a cow, and it's just one more example of what roadside America has to offer motorists who get off the Interstates and start meandering around the country's "blue highways." [1995]

La Cross, Wisconsin, USA

Gottlieb Heileman passed away on this day in 1878 here in La Cross. Until last year, more than two decades after the Heileman brewery went bankrupt, Gambrinus still stood outside the plant proclaiming himself to be not only the King of Beer but also its the inventor. Perhaps someone can tell us whether he has returned to the landscape. [1991]

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

If this were New Jersey, she would be pumping your gas. But, here in Wisconsin, she just guards the pumps. Don't approach too closely, though. She's wearing an Elizabethan collar, and that means she bites. [2006]