I think this gentleman is indeed confusing street names with town names. As far as I know and have been able to determine from perusing my gazetteer, there is no town called Maple La (or Shangri-La, for that matter) between Eau Claire and Wausau. However, assuming he was traveling Hwy. 29, he may indeed have seen an exit sign or overpass label (both are green) indicating the nearest street. For example, the "main drag" through Owen is Hwy. D, otherwise known as Owen Lane (abbreviated "Owen La" on highway signs). Other cross streets on this route include not only Maple Lane ("Maple La"), but "Cardinal La," "Emerald La," and "Eagle La." Hope this is helpful. Deana Hipke Marinette County WiGenWeb Coordinator http://www.rootsweb.com/~wimarine The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 http://userpages.chorus.net/dhipke/peshtigo.html ----- Original Message ----- From: "MAK" <makkuehl@yahoo.com> To: <WIGEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2000 10:05 AM Subject: [WIGEN-L] Names of WI Towns with La after them > > Mark, While I am a native of WI, I was transplanted 20 years ago to California. > I have never seen the La after the name on the green signs before (green signs > were invented after I left) so I am sending this question to the WI board. > > Don't worry, there is no such thing as a dumb question. In fact, it must be a > pretty good one, as none of us that you asked so far, know the answer (grin)... > > Take care, and let me know the answer, as now I am curious, too... R/S MAK > > > >>>>>>-----Original Message----- > > >>>>>>From: Ackley, Mark [mailto:MAckley@smdc.org] > > >>>>>>Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 3:08 PM > > >>>>>>To: 'prietsch@ismi.net<prietsch@ismi.net>' > > >>>>>>Subject: Wisconsin names > > >>>>>>While driving between Eau Claire and Wausau, I noticed that > > >>>>>>several town signs have the letters "La" after the name, i.e. Maple La > > >>>>>> > > >>>>>>The signs are not street names, rather the standard green sign that > > >>>>>>identifies the town that you are entering. Can you clue me > > >>>>>>in as to the meaning of "La" and how/why it is used?

Deana Hipke wrote: > I think this gentleman is indeed confusing street names with town names. As > far as I know and have been able to determine from perusing my gazetteer, > there is no town called Maple La (or Shangri-La, for that matter) between > Eau Claire and Wausau. However, assuming he was traveling Hwy. 29, he may > indeed have seen an exit sign or overpass label (both are green) indicating > the nearest street. For example, the "main drag" through Owen is Hwy. D, > otherwise known as Owen Lane (abbreviated "Owen La" on highway signs). Other > cross streets on this route include not only Maple Lane ("Maple La"), but > "Cardinal La," "Emerald La," and "Eagle La." > > Hope this is helpful. > > Deana Hipke > Marinette County WiGenWeb Coordinator > http://www.rootsweb.com/~wimarine > The Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 > http://userpages.chorus.net/dhipke/peshtigo.html > I have to agree with Deana here. I live in northern Wisconsin (the never-never land north of Eau Claire), but even up here this fall the State started to utilize these green signs designating the street names. So not only are there *La's*, but also *Rd's* and *St's* and I bet if we looked hard enough we could even find some *Ave's* and *Blvd's*! :~) -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net