Highway 21 (Wisconsin)
Encyclopedia
State Trunk Highway 21 is a state highway in the U.S. state
of Wisconsin
. It runs east–west across the center of the state between Sparta, Wisconsin
and Oshkosh
. The route often serves as a direct route for travelers between Appleton
and Oshkosh to Tomah
, and La Crosse
It is a two-lane surface road for nearly all of its length, with the exception of a few urban arterials of four or more lanes. The section of WIS 21 between Fort McCoy
and I-94 in Tomah is classified as a "Major STRAHNET Connector." while the route past I-94 is classified as a "Non-Interstate STRAHNET Route"
. WIS 21 proceeds northeast, following the La Crosse River
and passes through Fort McCoy. The route then turns eastward and floolws alongside the Tarr and Sparta Creeks, passing through Tunnel City
. WIS 21 crosses US 12
and I-94
on the north side of Tomah
. The route continues east from there to junction with WIS 173 west of Wyeville
and then crosses into Juneau County
. WIS 21 passes through the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
during its twelve mile (19 km) stretch of straight route to Necedah
. The highway crosses WIS 80 within Necedah and crosses the Wisconsin River
at about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of the village. WIS 21 enters Adams County
at the river, just south of Petenwell Lake
. WIS 29 junctions with WIS 13 three miles (5 km) north of Friendship
. The route also provides indirect access to Roche-a-Cri State Park
via WIS 13.
WIS 21 crosses I-39 and US 51
at Coloma
in Waushara County. The route passes through the village just east of the Interstate. After passing through Richford
at CTH B, WIS 21 gradually curves northward to junction with CTH Y - where it turns sharply eastward and junctions with WIS 22 and WIS 73 north in Wautoma
. WIS 21 follows WIS 73 south for two miles (3 km) before turning east again of the concurrency near Silver Lake. WIS 152 junctions with the routes about two miles (3 km) northwest of the eastern concurrency terminus. The highway passes through Lohrville
and Redgranite
and junctions with WIS 49 south of Auroraville.
WIS 21 enters Winnebago County
five miles (8 km) east of WIS 49. WIS 21 crosses WIS 116 in Omro
. The route then enters the greater Oshkosh are and junctions with US 41
along Omro Road. WIS 21 continues along Omro Road, Oshkosh Avenue and Congress Avenue, ending at US 45
(Algoma Boulevard) on the northwest side of Oshkosh after crossing the upper Fox River
east of Lake Butte des Morts
.
before turning north to Necedah. After crossing the Wisconsin River, WIS 21 followed WIS 13 into Adams
and Friendship. Both routes followed a different right-of-way at the time. WIS 21 then returned to the present corridor route to pass through Coloma, Wautoma, Omro and into Oshkosh. The route from La Crosse to New Lisbon was removed in the early 1920s and extended along its current alignment through Wyeville to North Tomah. The highway was rerouted in Adams County to become more direct between Arkdale and CTH-G in 1939. The western extension past Fort McCoy into Sparta was added in 1947.
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...
. It runs east–west across the center of the state between Sparta, Wisconsin
Sparta, Wisconsin
Sparta is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States, along the La Crosse River. The population was 9,522 at the 2010 census.-Notable people:*William Hawley Atwell, U.S. District Court Judge in Texas*Larry Baumel, NASCAR...
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...
. The route often serves as a direct route for travelers between Appleton
Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton is a city in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is situated on the Fox River, 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and 100 miles north of Milwaukee. Appleton is the county seat of Outagamie County. The population was 78,086 at the 2010 census...
and Oshkosh to Tomah
Tomah, Wisconsin
Tomah is a city in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 9,093. The city is located partially within the Town of Tomah.-Education:...
, and La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
It is a two-lane surface road for nearly all of its length, with the exception of a few urban arterials of four or more lanes. The section of WIS 21 between Fort McCoy
Fort McCoy, Wisconsin
Fort McCoy is an active United States Army installation. It is located on 60,000 acres between Sparta and Tomah, Wisconsin, in Monroe County...
and I-94 in Tomah is classified as a "Major STRAHNET Connector." while the route past I-94 is classified as a "Non-Interstate STRAHNET Route"
Route description
WIS 21 begins at the intersection of WIS 16, WIS 71 and WIS 27 The route then follows WIS 16 and WIS 71 east for about one half of a mile before turning north off the concurrencyConcurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
. WIS 21 proceeds northeast, following the La Crosse River
La Crosse River
The La Crosse River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 50 mi long, in southwestern Wisconsin in the United States.-Course:...
and passes through Fort McCoy. The route then turns eastward and floolws alongside the Tarr and Sparta Creeks, passing through Tunnel City
Tunnel City, Wisconsin
Tunnel City is an unincorporated census-designated place in the town of Greenfield, in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States, named for the train tunnel just to the west which was used by the Chicago and North Western Railway and the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad...
. WIS 21 crosses 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...
and 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....
on the north side of Tomah
Tomah, Wisconsin
Tomah is a city in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 9,093. The city is located partially within the Town of Tomah.-Education:...
. The route continues east from there to junction with WIS 173 west of Wyeville
Wyeville, Wisconsin
Wyeville is a village in Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 146 at the 2000 census. It takes its name from the railroad wye where rail lines of the former Chicago and North Western Transportation Company, now Union Pacific Railway, cross.-Geography:Wyeville is located at ...
and then crosses into Juneau County
Juneau County, Wisconsin
Juneau County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the population was 24,316. Its county seat is Mauston. It should not, however, be confused with the city of Juneau, Wisconsin, to which it has no connection.-Geography:...
. WIS 21 passes through the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located in northern Juneau County, Wisconsin near the village of Necedah. It was established in 1939 and is famous as the northern nesting site for reintroduction of an eastern United States population of the endangered Whooping Crane...
during its twelve mile (19 km) stretch of straight route to Necedah
Necedah, Wisconsin
Necedah is a village in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 888 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Necedah.-Attractions:The Necedah Shrine and the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge are located nearby....
. The highway crosses WIS 80 within Necedah and crosses the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River
-External links:* * * , Wisconsin Historical Society* * * *...
at about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of the village. WIS 21 enters Adams County
Adams County, Wisconsin
Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Sources differ as to whether its name is in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams, or his son, the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. As of 2000, the population of Adams County was 18,643. Its county seat is...
at the river, just south of Petenwell Lake
Petenwell Lake
Lake Petenwell is a man-made lake located in central Wisconsin, in Adams County and Juneau County, next to Castle Rock Lake. It covers over and is deep....
. WIS 29 junctions with WIS 13 three miles (5 km) north of Friendship
Friendship, Wisconsin
Friendship is a village in Adams County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 698 at the 2000 census.-Geology:The Friendship Mound sits just to the north of town. It is a castillated mound formed from the last glaciers to cover the area during the Ice Age. Another mound, Roche-A-Cri,...
. The route also provides indirect access to Roche-a-Cri State Park
Roche-a-Cri State Park
Roche-a-Cri State Park is a state park north of Adams and Friendship in central Wisconsin. The park, in area, was established in 1949....
via WIS 13.
WIS 21 crosses I-39 and 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...
at Coloma
Coloma, Wisconsin
Coloma is a village in Waushara County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 461 at the 2000 census. The village is located within the Town of Coloma.- History :...
in Waushara County. The route passes through the village just east of the Interstate. After passing through Richford
Richford, Wisconsin
Richford is a town in Waushara County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 588 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.7 square miles , of which, 34.6 square miles of it is land and 0.2 square miles of it ...
at CTH B, WIS 21 gradually curves northward to junction with CTH Y - where it turns sharply eastward and junctions with WIS 22 and WIS 73 north in Wautoma
Wautoma, Wisconsin
Wautoma is a city in Waushara County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,998 at the 2000 census. Wautoma is the county seat for Waushara County....
. WIS 21 follows WIS 73 south for two miles (3 km) before turning east again of the concurrency near Silver Lake. WIS 152 junctions with the routes about two miles (3 km) northwest of the eastern concurrency terminus. The highway passes through Lohrville
Lohrville, Wisconsin
Lohrville is a village in Waushara County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 408 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lohrville is located at ....
and Redgranite
Redgranite, Wisconsin
Redgranite is a village in Waushara County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,040 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Redgranite is located at ....
and junctions with WIS 49 south of Auroraville.
WIS 21 enters 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:...
five miles (8 km) east of WIS 49. WIS 21 crosses WIS 116 in Omro
Omro, Wisconsin
Omro is a city in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,177 at the 2000 census. The city is located along the Fox River, approximately 10 miles west of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.-1853 description:OMRO, P...
. The route then enters the greater Oshkosh are and junctions 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...
along Omro Road. WIS 21 continues along Omro Road, Oshkosh Avenue and Congress Avenue, ending at 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:...
(Algoma Boulevard) on the northwest side of Oshkosh after crossing the upper Fox River
Fox River (Wisconsin)
The Fox River is a river in eastern and central Wisconsin in the United States. Along the banks is a chain of cities, including Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, Little Chute, Kimberly, Combined Locks, and Kaukauna. Except for Oshkosh, these cities refer to themselves as the Fox Cities...
east of Lake Butte des Morts
Lake Butte des Morts
Big Lake Butte des Morts is an lake located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and is part of the Winnebago Pool . The lake is fed by the Fox River in the southwest and the Wolf River draining from Lake Winneconne in the northwest, and drains via the Fox River southeast into Lake Winnebago...
.
History
The route was first written into law in from La Crosse to Oshkosh. The highway passed through Sparta, but through the south side of Tomah and New LisbonNew Lisbon, Wisconsin
New Lisbon is a city in Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,436 at the 2000 census.-Geography:New Lisbon is located at ....
before turning north to Necedah. After crossing the Wisconsin River, WIS 21 followed WIS 13 into Adams
Adams, Wisconsin
Adams is a city in Adams County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 1,914 at the 2000 census. The city is located within the Town of Adams.-Geography:...
and Friendship. Both routes followed a different right-of-way at the time. WIS 21 then returned to the present corridor route to pass through Coloma, Wautoma, Omro and into Oshkosh. The route from La Crosse to New Lisbon was removed in the early 1920s and extended along its current alignment through Wyeville to North Tomah. The highway was rerouted in Adams County to become more direct between Arkdale and CTH-G in 1939. The western extension past Fort McCoy into Sparta was added in 1947.