Credit: Luke Collins Photography
Wayyyyyyyy up at the tippy top of the Door County peninsula, you’ll find one of Wisconsin’s most famous stretches of road–where Highway 42 curves 15 times for no discernible reason.
But really…why?
One story from Destination Door County says that the road was initially built to weave around utility poles that went straight down the center of the road.
But the more commonly cited reason for the curves is purely artistic–influenced by famed landscape architect Jens Jensen. Jensen believed in using nature to enrich people’s lives, and his parks (most notably, Chicago’s Garfield Park and Humboldt Park) are famous for their water features, rock gardens, and meandering pathways meant to mimic nature rather than shape it.
Early in his career, he designed what he called the “Ideal Highway,” a road that would slow traffic, keep nature always in view, and include a pedestrian path. So, it would make perfect sense for Jensen to have designed Door County’s curvy road built to slow drivers down and make them take in their surroundings.
TIP: While the road is a sight to see in all four seasons, we recommend traveling it in mid-October to take in the changing leaves in all their glory. According to Destination Door County, the curvy road is one of the most frequently-photographed spots in all of Wisconsin.
MORE: These Wisconsin Towns Named Among America’s ‘Most Beautiful’
Author
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Wisconsinites and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at UpNorthNews has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Wisconsin families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
This billionaire’s PAC is spreading a big lie about Tammy Baldwin, Medicare, and taxpayer savings
Restoration PAC, funded by Uline’s Richard Uihlein, twists the significance of forcing Big Pharma to negotiate for lower bulk pricing on Medicare...
New Biden rules deliver automatic cash refunds for canceled flights, ban surprise fees
In the aftermath of a canceled or delayed flight, there’s nothing less appealing than spending hours on the phone waiting to speak with an airline...
Opinion: It’s time for Congress to fight for small businesses instead of big corporations
May is National Small Business Month. Our elected leaders need to show leadership all year long. For the past 27 years I’ve been fortunate to pursue...
Biden makes 4 million more workers eligible for overtime pay
The Biden administration announced a new rule Tuesday to expand overtime pay for around 4 million lower-paid salaried employees nationwide. The...
