Re: Michigan Road
Some background on the road is given on p. 453-454, Vol. 1, in Buley's "The
Old Northwest Pioneer Period, 1815-1840." The book indicates that Gov. Ray,
in an 1827 treaty, told the Potawatomi that "we wish to make a road from
Indianapolis ------- to Lake Michigan." (Of course, as another writer noted,
a purpose of the road was to weaken the Indians.) Buley also states that it
was agreed in 1830 to make Madison the terminus. The precise route or
sequence of construction isn't clear from this brief discussion, but Buley
says "The 265 miles from Madison by way of Greensburg, Indianapolis, and
Logansport to South Bend were open by 1836 and usable eight months out of the
year." In a footnote in this 1950 book, he also says that the only adequate
history of the road is in a 1941 MS thesis at I.U. by Prather.
This may be more than you care to know!!
Vernon Threlkeld
Seattle