Red Light, Green Light: Stop Lights in Lake Mills

Back in 1932, it was a significant event when stop lights were installed at the intersections of North Main Street and Madison Streets. Lake Mills could now stand on equal footing with other cities. It was no longer just a "country" town but was beginning to transform into an urban metropolis, becoming the heart of Southern Wisconsin's Vacationland. From a practical perspective, Highway 30 passed through Lake Mills along Madison Street. At that time, Highway 89 meandered from the north end of the lake, traveled down West Madison Street to Main Street, and exited via South Main Street. With the rise in car and truck traffic, the intersection of Main and Madison Streets required improved traffic management. This was particularly necessary during football Saturdays at the University and especially when Marquette played Wisconsin. In June 1931, Madison, Mulberry, and Main Streets were designated as arterial highways. Prior to stoplights, early attempts to control traffic included the installation of an Iron Police Man in June of 1918, at Lake and Main Streets between August Albrecht’s and the corner of Commons Park as a silent sentinel to keep automobiles from cutting corner of the park.

We were proud of our significant new advancement; however, not everyone received the message. One farmer, in particular, who seldom visited town, drove straight through a stoplight one November day. When stopped and asked why, he protested, claiming he thought they were just new Christmas decorations. He was partially correct. The lights were installed by the Light and Water Department with the State Highway Department's approval. Eventually, a second set of lights was placed at the intersection of Lake Street and Main Street. This was done in 1939 due to the hazardous blind corner created by projecting buildings. In July 1939, police removed the amber lights from the stop-and-go lights at the corner of Madison and Main Street. These were also installed by the Light and Water Department. Both corners continued to have operating stoplights until the late 1940s when a drunk driver knocked one over, prompting their removal. The State Highway Department, in its wisdom, decided that the streetlights were impeding traffic through town and could be adequately replaced with four-way stop signs and a flashing light. In reality, Highway 30 no longer ran through town, and Highway 89 now entered from town through North Main Street. However, this decision has not been without occasional hazards, particularly during factory rush hour, resulting in one pedestrian injury.

Lake Mills has once again been equipped with traffic lights, not in the downtown area, but near I-94 where Highway 89 intersects with Highway V. The rise in service stations and franchise restaurants around this intersection has significantly increased traffic, as has the industrial truck traffic to and from local factories. The previous two-way and later four-way stop signs were insufficient to manage the growing traffic volume near the interstate. Therefore, the new traffic lights, controlled by specially installed road sensors, were a welcome addition.