by Denise Massie
An effort to designate the 270 miles of Michigan Road as a historic byway appears to be making progress.
Kurt West Garner of Plymouth and Jim Grey of Indianapolis are leaders of the Michigan Road Historic Byway effort. The men met with supporters from Fulton, Carroll and Cass counties Saturday morning to discuss the campaign’s progress.
Those attending share an interest in the historical aspect of the road, as well as the tourism the road could attract if named a historic byway.
“We want to spark interest in it again,” Grey said.
Garner said a historic byway designation would enable the road’s story to be told in a broader picture.
“Of the byways I am aware of, this is the only one that will draw the entire state together,” he said.
The group has been setting up point people in a “northern alliance” it hopes will help find supporters for the project.
“We don’t know your communities or your connections,” Grey said. “But you do, and that’s why we invited you here today. The bottom line is we are here to ask for your help to reach out and make connections in your community. Kurt and I are just two guys and without your help we wouldn’t be able to do this.”
Garner says he believes the volunteers have a realistic schedule.
“It is such a long road, we want to start in the north and in the fall switch to the southern half of the state,” Garner said. “The ultimate goal is to do the historic byway application in the summer of 2010.”
Once the application is completed, the Indiana Department of Transportation will determine whether the road qualifies as a byway, Garner added. He plans to begin initial discussions with INDOT for pointers along the way.
As the process continues, both men are excited to see the history others have to share.
“So many layers of history will come to light and so many stories,” Garner said.
The Logansport meeting attracted several people with historic information.
Juanita Hunter, a retired Logansport High School teacher, brought along information she had gathered and even eight articles she had written on the historic road since 1987.
“I’m just interested in the road,” she said. “It’s going to get special recognition which I think it deserves.”
Bob Davis, a member of the Carroll County Historical Society member and Burlington resident, brought in a collection of historical photos. He is interested in the road because it travels through Burlington.
“I’ve always been interested in it,” he said. “I hope to support it in any way I can.”
According to Garner, the road from Madison to Michigan City was one of the first commissioned by the Indiana Legislature, with funding set by 1826. It also became an important piece in opening the state to settlement.
The road passes through 15 counties, including Cass, Carroll and Fulton.
Garner just hopes those working on the project can continue finding support.
“I’m really excited about the momentum,” he said. “We’re going to have to be able to sustain that with additional grassroots support.”
Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com
Want info?
To find more about the effort to have Michigan Road designated a historic byway, contact Kurt Garner at kurt.garner@gmail.com or Jim Grey at michiganroad@jimgrey.net.
