The Polish Heritage Trail in Central Wisconsin
A Self Guided Auto Tour
Photos provided by the Portage County Historical Society and Sarah Schroeder
Information provided in this brochure was compiled by the Polish Heritage Awareness Society and designed in cooperation with the SPACVB, The SPACVB assumes no liability for the accuracy of the information represented here. Brochure was produced by the Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Presented by & the property of the Polish Heritage Awareness Society
ON THE POLISH HERITAGE TRAIL
Continuing east, you will find yourself in Ellis, once known as the “Poland Corners,” located at the intersection of Hwy 66 and Cty Hwy J. The three taverns in the area are reminiscent of the four saloons of nearly 150 years ago. Gone are the post office, blacksmith shop, and general store of what was the first business center of this area.
We welcome you to tour through the central
Wisconsin countryside to view the area which is the first Polish rural settlement in the state, and the second in the U.S. Located on quiet, rural roads winding through the glacial terrain with its wooded countryside, lakes and farm land are reminders of the Polish heritage of this area. The small communities, imposing churches and several quaint roadside shrines and crosses create a pastoral and spiritual landscape, not unlike the Kaszuby region in northern Poland from which the earliest Polish settlers came, beginning in 1857. Rock-lined fence rows show evidence of the challenge they faced to farm this land. The gracious red brick farmhouses seen throughout the area show proof of their success. Several parks provide an opportunity to picnic and to enjoy the atmosphere of America's heartland. A road map of Portage County is recommended for those unfamiliar with the area. Enjoy your tour!
Another of the three churches built in the area was St. Joseph's built by the Polish families in 1864, the first rural Polish Catholic church in the state. It was later relocated 1 ½ miles to the east to a new community named Polonia. The close proximity of the saloons to the church had created problems for the Polish parish.
The third church, an independent, was organized and served some of the Polish population for only a short time. The building was razed a few decades later.
Polish Heritage Awareness Society Adeline M. Sopa ELLIS and POLONIA See figure 1
Starting the tour heading east from Stevens Point on Hwy 66, just after Hwy K, is St. Martin's Catholic Church(a) on your left. Organized in 1857 by early German and Irish settlers, it is the only remaining of the three churches once located here. Take a drive around the church and its cemetery, the gravestones date back to the mid-1800s.
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Continue east on Hwy 66 to Cty Hwy Z and turn right to view the grounds of what is now known as Sacred Heart Catholic Church (b)located at 7375 Church Street. Admire the stone Stone Fence 2013 fence at the entrance to the left, painstakingly constructed by handyman Anton Gostomski, and children from the orphanage. A bronze plaque on the right corner of this beautiful church, built in 1934, pays tribute to the first Polish settlers of the area. The cemetery overlooking the church contains the grave sites of most of these people. The modern-day school is still staffed by the Felician Sisters who came to the area at the invitation of the Rev. Joseph Dombrowski after he had moved the parish to Polonia in 1872. The school was one of the first Polish parochial schools in the state. Sacred Heart Church
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Note the huge rocks on either side of Hillcrest Rd., which have been moved from the fields to fence rows. At 1396 Cty Hwy I, on the corner of Hillcrest Rd. and Cty Hwy I, is a white cross hidden in the Portage County Fairgrounds trees on the front yard of a j Rosholt house, one of several still h,i standing in this area.(d)
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Winnebago Indians were included among the students. St. Clare Orphanage was also the Sisters’ project in what was their first service in the U.S. Tour the convent grounds to view Pioneer's Grove with its memorials to the first Felician nuns and to Rev. Dombrowski. Stop in at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart(c) for a quiet moment. Also, note the memorial for Polish Legion of American Veterans on the grounds.
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Take Cty Hwy I north. As you approach the intersection of Cty Hwy I and Cty Hwy Z, you will see a red brick shrine on the northwest corner. (e) Another shrine is located about a mile away on Cty Hwy OO. Follow Cty Hwy I to the Cty Hwy Z Shrine north and turn right on Cty Hwy OO - the red brick shrine is on the left on an elevation above the road.(f)
Detour: Polonia has a Polish Legion of American Veterans grounds cozy cafe in the business district which serves delicious breakfast and lunch.
ROSHOLT Area See figure 1
Continue east on Cty Hwy Z until you reach Hillcrest Rd. and take a right. Follow the road as it winds around and connects up with Cty Hwy I.
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In years past, shrines and crosses were found at most intersections in e northern Portage County d and southern Marathon County. This was a wideI spread tradition in Poland that was brought here by figure 1 the Polish settlers. Shrines and crosses were built to commemorate safety and were a place for prayer.
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Following Cty Hwy OO eastward for 1 mile, notice the huge rocks lining Cty Hwy OO as well. Turn left on N. Hamilton Rd. and follow it for about a mile as it winds north and east to St. Adalberts Rd. Turn left and travel north toward Rosholt. On the right, nestled in lilac bushes you will find a wooden cross(g) at 3149 St. Adalberts Rd. As you approach the church, a red brick shrine(h) is located on the corner of the church grounds. You are now in front of St. Adalbert’s Church, 3315 St.
Adalberts Rd., which was organized in 1898, a daughter parish of Sacred Heart. The present church was built in 1935. Be sure to stop and see the beautiful church grounds. Just St. Adalberts 2013 past the church, also on the right at 3379 St. Adalberts Rd. stands a very tall white cross (i) next to a driveway.
1949. A red brick shrine(n)to the right of the church marks the corner of the church property. Detour: A side trip may be taken south back to Jordan Park.
BEVENT See figure 1
North of Stevens Point, just over the Marathon County line is Bevent and its Polish history. Bevent can be accessed from Cty Hwy Y off Cty Hwy 66. Cty Hwys J and Y junction at Shantytown just over the county line. Follow Cty Hwys J-Y north to the intersection with Cty Hwy C. Turn left on J-C for 1 mile. The red brick Wierzba shrine(o) built in 1952 is located to the left at the Willow Rd. and Cty Hwy J crossroad.
Next, see the log house(j) of early Polish settlers John and Antonina (Krefta) Glodowski, which is still standing, at Pioneer Park, on the Portage County Fair Grounds. Take Hwy 66 east and take a left on Main St. straight to the fair grounds. Pioneer Park
Return east on Cty Hwys J-C and continue past the intersection with Cty Hwy Y and follow Cty Hwys C-Y as it winds to the north. In less than a mile, at the T-intersection with Cty Hwy C, is the location of a white wooden cross(p) with Big Bass Lake in the background.
Detour: Nearby Lake Helen and Collins Lake have park facilities.
Taking Hwy 66 west to Cty Hwy CC north of Ellis will bring you to a building at a T-intersection at 3000 Cty Hwy J, an area called North Star.(k) Stop to see the North Star building which was at one time a general store and still has the upstairs dance hall which was the gathering place North Star Building for many parties. In earlier days, this was also the site of a working sawmill. Several mills had been located in this area and the logging operations provided an opportunity for off-season work for the farmers.
After you have followed Cty Hwy Y as it winds about 20 miles to the north, watch for the red wooden cross(q) located on a hill to the left on Bevent Drive. The scenic view from the hill includes the spire of St. Ladislaus Church,(r) continue north on Cty Hwy Y to tour the peaceful grounds of the church which was organized in 1895, located at 6455 Hwy 153. Another mile north on Cty Hwy Y, on the left at Kristof Rd., stands a white wooden cross at the T-intersection.(s) Detour: Picnic at the lake in Shantytown before returning to Stevens Point via Cty Hwy Y.
Take Cty Hwy J south to meet back up with Hwy 66.
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STEVENS POINT
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Take Hwy 66 west for about 3 miles until you reach Cty Hwy Y. Take Cty Hwy Y north for 3 miles to Dewey Dr. Go west to see St. Mary's Church in Torun,(m) located at 5589 Dewey Dr., established in 1895, with construction of the present church in
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Start your tour of Stevens Point with the famous Market Square( A ) where Polish farmers and their families brought their produce and
Stevens Point Square circa 1900’s
Continue north on 2nd St. and turn right on Maria animals to market. The Square and the Main St. Dr. At the T-intersection with Union St., notice the are on the National Register of Historic Places. beautiful grounds on the left. Located here is the Several of the buildings bear the names of their Polish owners. The first Polish original Mother House of the Sisters of St. St. Peters First Church families to live in the city moved Joseph( C ), Third Order of St. Francis of there from the Polonia area Assisi; an order of nuns initially established around 1860. for young women of Polish heritage in Travel north on 2nd St. to St. 1901. This order has staffed many B parochial elementary and secondary Peter's Catholic Church( ), schools throughout the Midwest. Several located at 800 Fourth Ave., It hospitals were also administered by these was established in 1876, in nuns. what was the Polish fourth ward of the city. The present church Continue on east Maria Dr. for a mile, to was constructed in 1897 and is Schmeeckle Reserve; take a right down Minnesota the oldest Polish church building in the county. Ave., and a right at Stanley St. heading to the Notice the Lasecki building across the street which UW-Stevens Point campus which was established is now the Stevens Point Co-Op. in 1897. Take a left on nearby Fremont St. to see St. Stanislaus Catholic Church( D ), at 838 Fremont St. This church was organized in 1913 to 34 accommodate the growing population in the area. Hwy 10 Jct. City
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Taking Fremont St. south, take a left at Clark St., which turns into Hwy 66. At the triangle corner of Hwy 66 and Soo Marie Ave. is McGlachlin Park which contains a bust of 66 Count Casimir Pulaski ( E ) - the young Polish Stevens Point soldier who valued freedom so much that he left his partitioned 10 nation to come to 51 America to fight in the Revolutionary War against the British. He was fatally wounded at the battle of Savannah in 1779. B figure 2
Detour: Located at
Detour: Taking Hwy 54/Cty Hwy B east, there are park facilities at nearby Lake Pacawa which contains a memorial to Wisconsin’s Korean War veterans. The area also has fun shopping and great restaurants, be sure to check them out on Cty Hwy B/Plover Rd.
1475 Water St. is The Synagogue Museum, under the direction of the Portage County Historical Society, it has summer visiting hours. Further down on Water St. is the location of the well-known Stevens Point Brewery. Also further out on the south side, just off Business Hwy 51 on McDill Pond, is Stevens Point - Lutz Brewery Koziczkowski Park dedicated to the first Polish settler in this area. Stevens Point is also home to one of few Polish language newspapers printed in the U.S., Gwiazda Polarna, Their office at 2804 Post Rd. has a supply of publications concerned with a variety of Polish subjects. Call or write to order, 715-344-0744.
MILL CREEK and JUNCTION CITY See figure 2
Take Hwy 66/Cty Hwy HH west out of Stevens Point over the Wisconsin River to Cty Hwy M, driving for about 6 miles. Turn left to 2493 Cty Hwy M to find St. Bartholomew's Church( H ) in Mill Creek established in 1883. The present church was erected in 1910.
Continue west on Cty Hwy M to Cty Hwy O. Turn right and head north for about 4 miles. Turn left on Hwy P to Junction City where St. Michael's Church( I ) is located on the left at 324 Main St. The parish was established in 1881 with the present building constructed in 1958.
PLOVER See figure 2
Taking Business Hwy 51 south of Stevens Point will land you in Plover, Train Depot at Heritage Park home of the Portage County Historical Society and the developing Heritage Park Square, a site containing several buildings of historical significance. You can find it taking Bus. 51/Post Rd. in Plover, south to Willow Dr. Take a left and see Heritage Park( F ) between Madison Ave. and Washington Ave.; it features eleven historical buildings.
Detour: Following Hwy 34 north of the village will take you to Lake DuBay and its park facilities, or you can take Hwy 10 back to Stevens Point.
HULL
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Take Cty Hwy P/HH east and north to merge onto Hwy 10 east/I-39 south. Exit on Casimir Rd and St. Casimir Church take a right to St. Casimir Catholic Church( J ), located at 203 Casimir Rd. Established in 1871, it was the second Polish Catholic church in this area. The present brick Victorian building was constructed in 1913.
Going south on Business Hwy 51, you’ll reach Hwy 54. Head west on Hwy 54 to see St. Bronislava Catholic Church( G ) on your right at 3200 Plover Rd. The new church was built in 1991, the newest of those with Polish orientation. The larger, more modern edifice stands behind what was the location of a red brick Gothic revival church built in 1911. The parish was established in 1896. 5
Take Casimir Rd. east, as it passes over I-39, until you reach N. 2nd St. Take a right and head south for about a mile to find yourself at the intersection of N. 2nd St. and Woodview Dr. Here you will see the recently restored wooden cross( K ) – a tradition
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Take Wood51 view Dr. east until you reach N. Reserve Plover Dr., take a left. 54 Go north until you reach the 4-way intersection with N. Reserve Dr. and Jordan Rd. Notice the white wooden cross( L ) on the southeast corner. Take N. Reserve Dr. south back to Stevens Point.
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intersection of Cty Hwy K and Cty Hwy B. This intersection was been known as Konkol's Corner for many years. The original shrine was designed and built by John Konkol on the corner of his farm. It was badly damaged in the fall of 2003. The new shrine, built in 2013, is located on the northeast corner of the intersection.( b )
FANCHER See figure 3
From Stevens Point, take Hwy 10 east, exit onto Cty Hwy K and travel south. Watch for the steeple of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church( a ) which reaches 156 feet into the sky. Follow K as it travels south for 1 ½ miles. Once at the church, notice the wrought iron gate which reads “Boze Zbaw Polske” or “God Save Poland”, which exemplifies the devotion of the parishioners to their motherland. At 3995 Cty Hwy K is St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, the first daughter parish of Sacred Heart of Polonia, organized in 1884. The present Gothic revival building was built in 1905, at a cost of $25,000, mostly with parish labor and horsepower.
Continue south on Cty Hwy K. Notice the Victorian style red brick houses built by many Polish families on either side of the road. You will approach the
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Take Cty Hwy B east for about 4 miles, as it winds around the countryside and passes under Hwy 10. Turn left onto Cty Rd Q and travel a mile, turn left onto Main St. and continue to Cty Rd Q north for about 2 miles until you reach the historical Rising Star Mill( c ) in Nelsonville. It is one of the oldest mills in the state. The Mill hosts an Rising Star Mill annual art show, several concerts, and open houses throughout the year. Downtown Nelsonville
Detour: Visit Amherst which has several restaurants and shops, or picnic at nearby Lake Emily or Sunset Lake. Take Hwy 10 west back to Stevens Point.
HEFFRON
Many of the parishioners of the recently closed St. John the Baptist Catholic Church St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, were descendants of Polish immigrants recruited from Milwaukee and Chicago by a local real estate agent, John J. Heffron, to purchase farmland in this area. The parish was established in 1895.
We invite you to travel with us again soon! Do widzenia!
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For more information on the Stevens Point/Plover area:
Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitor Bureau 340 Division Street North Stevens Point, WI 54481 715-344-2556 www.stevenspointarea.com