All the roads on the estate were built using materials from the property. A steam powered stone crusher plant was located in the quarry. The road bed was 12 to 14 inches deep, with a base of “hardheads” followed by Tarvia, stones and limestone screenings. Steam rollers then smoothed the surface.
Tarvia was practically unheard of in the area at the time. It was brought into Green Lake in train cars. It took two days to heat up the tank cars so the Tarvia could be pumped into tank wagons and hauled to the Lawson estate. Tarvia produced roads of such high quality that many of them are still in use today.
In 1912, construction of the “Big Road” to Green Lake was begun. This roadbed ran from the old Kelm School to the Causeway bridge and down to the Chicago & North Western Depot. It was built for the convenience of the Lawsons and as a favor to the area farmers. Upon its completion in 1914, Lawson deeded it to the State of Wisconsin, and it would become State Highway 23 in later years. The new macadam road was called “Lawson Drive.”

Green Lake Memories, 1847-1997, A Collection of Personal Narratives, Thomas Gnewuch – Page 178

A Heritage History of Beautiful Green Lake, Wisconsin, Robert W. and Emma B. Heiple – Page 224

When the property along the shore was sold for residential properties, this road was moved further north, and the original section along the lake was turned into a private drive.
To see some images of this road further east click here.
South Lawson Drive

Click on any image to view postcard details.