Turn back the clock and imagine that the road in front of the home is made from planks. Appropriately called Plank Road, it ran from Manitowoc toward Green Bay, and was one of the last private toll roads in Manitowoc County. A toll gate and house were situated in front of the property. Those passing by on foot paid a toll of 5 cents and horse drawn-wagons paid 10 cents. Polish immigrant Anton Chrapikowski purchased the farm in 1884 and three years later, bought the plank road. He ran the toll road until it became public in 1899. The sophisticated home, built shortly after, became commonly known as the Old Plank Road Toll House. Its history lives on with opening of the Toll House Bed & Breakfast in early 2020.

Built in about 1900, the stately two-story home was commissioned by Polish immigrant and well-to-do farmer Anton Chrapikowski. He was married twice, both times to women who also came here from Poland. Anton and his first wife, Febronia, purchased the land. She died in 1897. Anton’s second wife, Virginia, was a woman of means whose late husband left her a prosperous coal business. Likely used to fine things, Virginia was thought to have had been a big influence on the look of the home, which she and Anton built. It was once referred to as “a city house transplanted to a farm” because of its large size. Virginia loved to entertain and kept the elaborate and comfortable home filled with guests.