Forest Junction

History

A post office called Forest Junction has been in operation since 1873. The community was so named from its location at a rail junction near the forest. The first railroad through here in 1872 was the Appleton & New London Railroad. This railroad later became the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad, a predecessor of the Chicago and North Western Railway (C&NW). This line has since been abandoned and is currently the 'Eastern leg' of the Friendship State Trail. The second railroad, the CMStP&P was built as the Milwaukee & Northern whose line through here ran to Green Bay in 1873. This formed a diamond rail junction at Milepost 88, Forest Junction depot is a 'sister' to the Milwaukee Road's Stiles Junction, WI depot as they share the same architectural plan. Forest Junction was featured on the TV show, American Pickers. The episode aired October 30, 2024, and was titled the “DIY DeLorean”, season 26 episode 4. The episode starred Mike Wolfe and featured local resident, Tracy Olson.

Geography

Forest Junction is located at the intersection of Wisconsin Highway 57/Wisconsin Highway 32 and U.S. Route 10. 57/32 runs north–south through the area, and 10 runs east–west.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Sunrise Elementary
  Elementary · Appleton · 467 students · 15.6:1 ratio
• Woodland School
  Elementary · Appleton · 450 students · 14.1:1 ratio
• Brillion Elementary
  Elementary · Brillion · 412 students · 14.7:1 ratio
• Brillion High
  High · Brillion · 341 students · 13.6:1 ratio
• Woodland Intermediate
  Middle · Appleton · 337 students · 17.7:1 ratio
• Brillion Middle
  Middle · Brillion · 194 students · 13.9:1 ratio
• Hilbert Elementary
  Elementary · Hilbert · 169 students · 13:1 ratio
• Hilbert Middle
  Middle · Hilbert · 159 students · 15.9:1 ratio