Territorial Road (Michigan)

Starting at Michigan Avenue (modern-day US Highway 12) in downtown Detroit, it generally parallels the present-day Interstate 94. The route runs from Detroit to Ann Arbor, Albion, Marshall, Battle Creek, Paw Paw, and Benton Harbor. In some areas, it is still known as Territorial Road, like Calhoun County. ==Background==

Generally, Michigan's main highways followed trails used by Native Americans for centuries to travel between their villages and hunting and fishing grounds. The trails were narrow paths, about wide, located on high, dry ground along streams and watersheds. Native Americans used dog sleds to move their cargo, a tradition that was followed in Michigan's territorial days, when dogs pulled sleds with mail and cargo on the trails. The trails were used by fur traders, explorers, and missionaries to travel into the frontier. The roads were improved and widened for pack horses and settlers. Initially, branches and bushes were cleared, making the trails two to three feet wide to allow room for pack horses. Then, the trails were further widened for oxen-drawn wagons. Federal funds were appropriated to improve the roads, which involved cutting down trees and filling in swampy and low areas. Traveling by wagon was slow, particularly after the roads developed ruts. Later improvements were gravel and then paved roads. ==History==

The St. Joseph Indian Trail connected with the Great Trail, from Chesapeake Bay on the Atlantic Seaboard to the Mississippi River and the Plains States to the west. The Great Trail connected with Michigan trails from Toledo to Detroit, and up to Lake Huron. Michigan Territory's legislative council voted to survey land for a route from the east to the west side of the territory in 1829, following the St. Joseph Indian Trail. The road began at Sheldon Inn at the corner of what is now Michigan Avenue and Geddes Road (named for Washtenaw County settlers Robert and John Geddes) and ended at its westernmost point at the mouth of the St. Joseph River at Lake Michigan. It was initially called the St. Joseph Road. The federal government provided $20,000 () to upgrade and complete the road, It was built of logs in a corduroy pattern. It was declared a public highway on May 3, 1831, and soon after began to be called Territorial Road. ==Historical markers==

Historical markers were located east to west at: • Geddes Road, east of the intersection with Michigan Avenue in Canton • Territorial Road and the Dodge Tavern, Old US 12, Paw Paw • In Keeler, also installed by the local DAR ==References==