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Connecting the
past, present and future of Ozaukee County’s Communities |
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Quick Links |
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Ozaukee
Trailside Birding Guide |
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History of the
Trail |
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The Trail Today |
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Tomorrow’s Trail |
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Trail Map |
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Public Parking |
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Advisory Council |
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Group Reservation Form |
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Just 15 minutes north of downtown Milwaukee
Less than 2 hours from Chicago, Madison and Green Bay
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Print a copy of this page as a brochure - PDF |
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History of the Trail |
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Historic Interurban Bridge in Cedarburg |
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The route of the Ozaukee
Interurban Trail is based on the Interurban railway that connected
Ozaukee County to the City of Milwaukee and Sheboygan.
In 1922, the right-of-way was acquired by The Milwaukee Electric
Railway and Light Company for development of an improved rapid transit
service from Milwaukee to Sheboygan. The Northern Route, the interurban
electric railway from Milwaukee to Sheboygan since 1908, had stops in
the mostly rural communities of Brown Deer, Thiensville, Cedarburg,
Grafton, Port Washington, Belgium, Cedar Grove, Oostburg and Sheboygan.
This rapid transit was an electric
railway system linking Milwaukee and many of the surrounding communities
from its inception in 1905 to the end of all operations in 1951.
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Northern Route of the interurban line was also made famous for transporting
African-American blues musicians to the main recording studio for
Paramount Records recording label in Port Washington and ultimately
in Grafton, Wisconsin. The idea of African-American artists from the
rural South traveling to Grafton, Wisconsin in the late 1920s and early
1930s by taking the "electric train" seems fantastic.
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Historic Interurban Rail
Car |
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The Trail Today |
| Today, the Ozaukee
Interurban Trail is a 30-mile paved trail that spans the entire length
of Ozaukee County. The majority of the Trail is off-road and perfect for
family enjoyment. The Trail connects the Ozaukee communities of
Mequon, Thiensville, Cedarburg, Grafton, Port Washington and Belgium by
using the existing right-of-way owned by We Energies. The Trail can be
used as a commuter route for employment, businesses, industry, and
commerce. |
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Family friendly! |
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Trail bridge over the Milwaukee River in Grafton |
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Unlike many recreational
trails in the State of Wisconsin, use of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail is
free for everyone.
The trail is intended for year round uses, such as
biking, in-line skating, walking, running and cross-country skiing.
Motorized vehicles including snowmobiles, and horses are not allowed on the trail.
The Trail
route connects historic downtowns with natural landscapes. Views along
the Trail include hardwood woodlands, wetlands, farmlands, Cedar Creek,
the Milwaukee River, Lake Michigan and it is designated as a “Great
Wisconsin Birding Trail.” |
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Enjoy
wildlife along the Trail! |
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Tomorrow’s Trail |
| The Ozaukee Interurban Trail
Advisory Council was formed to assist in the planning and implementation
of the Trail.
The Advisory Council’s mission is
to promote the safe
public use of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail for transportation,
recreation, health, education, economic development, and enjoyment of
Ozaukee County’s unique cultural, historical and natural resources.
The Advisory Council is a diverse representation of all areas of the
community in Ozaukee County. |
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Trail kiosk in Mequon |
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Mile Markers are
located along the entire trail! |
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Improvement
projects along the Ozaukee Interurban Trail include the construction
of informational kiosks, benches, directional signage and mile
markers. Future projects include parking lots, additional
restroom facilities, trail overlooks and historical markers.
Currently, the Ozaukee
Interurban Trail Advisory Council is fundraising for a project to make a
significant safety, transportation, and aesthetic improvement along a
section of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail.
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The Trail Improvement Project.
Bike bridge spanning CTY W and STH 43 was
completed in 2009! |
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Trail Map |
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Trail Maps and
Rules |
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For a free Ozaukee County Visitor Guide and Trail Map,
contact:
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Ozaukee County Tourism Council
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or
click here for online request |
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or call 1-877-875-7795 |
Developed by:
Paul Roback
Community Development Educator
UW-Extension, Ozaukee County |
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