Welcome to Barronett, Wisconsin
You might think this photo has been altered, but I assure you it hasn't. The streets of Barronett are actually named like this.
I asked a local convenience store clerk, "Why all the fractions?"
She said, "I honestly have no idea."
Comments
You go to the weirdest places, Paul.
Posted by: cathyp | July 31, 2006 10:46 AM
Weird follows Paul. Or, in this case, precedes him and messes with road signs.
Posted by: ironic1 | July 31, 2006 01:08 PM
An explanation, FWIW.
I believe Barronett is in Barron County and the entire county, which is perfectly square, is divided into sections by evenly spaced streets and avenues (30 each direction spaced every mile, iirc). The fractions are for roads needed between the integers. When you're driving on 53 near Rice Lake you'll notice overpasses labeled 28 1/2 ave, etc., even though you're in the middle of nowhere. The house numbers are derived from this system, too, somehow. I don't know the exact system, but a house number of 1542 would be 15.42 miles from one of the county lines.
Posted by: AaronC | July 31, 2006 02:38 PM
Perfectly square, indeed.
Only a square county would have such a system. I suppose that makes me square for knowing about it. :-)
Posted by: AaronC | July 31, 2006 02:42 PM
I see fractional street numbers and I begin to worry mathematics might be required to get to my destination.
"Dammit! What's 29 and three quarters divided by 7 and seven eighths? Quick! Do I need to turn here??!! Gahh! I'm totally lost. Ask this dude- he looks like he might be wearing a wrist calculator..."
Posted by: PJ | July 31, 2006 03:35 PM
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Barronett,+WI&ie=UTF8&ll=45.635557,-91.992302&spn=0.020615,0.054245&om=1
Posted by: fonixmunkee | July 31, 2006 04:37 PM
so can I wager a guess that "As the crow flies" doesn't apply in Barronett, WI?
Posted by: in.dog.neato | July 31, 2006 05:06 PM
LOL. I used to live in Barron County. I lived in Cumberland, WI and if you thought barronett was f'ed in the A with fractions you don't know Cumberland. The roads are divided in fractions because of the many lakes and farm acres.
Posted by: CrJR | July 31, 2006 06:59 PM
Wasn't BrasÃlia designed the same way?
Posted by: adam | July 31, 2006 07:32 PM
Is Barronette where Barrett comes from? Cause that would explain the weirdness.
Posted by: zoey | August 1, 2006 03:27 PM
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=duluth,+mn&ie=UTF8&om=0&ll=46.771174,-92.12564&spn=0.00349,0.00869
(zoom in all the way)
Posted by: lithis | August 2, 2006 07:23 PM
I believe this system of numbering streets and avenues was developed to make it easier for emergency responders to find their destinations faster.
Posted by: Andy D | March 3, 2008 10:17 AM