The Old Indian Trail is a historic trail in the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, running for roughly 55miles between Cadillac and Traverse City. In use since as early as 600 BCE by the Hopewell civilization,[1] the Old Indian Trail began to be used regularly by the Anishinaabe in the 13th century, and was largely used until European settlement in the 1800s. Today, the trail no longer exists, but its location is marked by 33 white stone markers.[2]
The Old Indian Trail began along the shore of Lake Mitchell near Cadillac, and ran northwesterly past the modern-day communities of Boon and Meauwataka before reaching the Manistee River. Here, a massive log jam allowed for travelers to cross the river, continuing north past present-day Buckley, Hannah, and Chums Corner. The trail then descended northerly into Traverse City, where it ended at the shore of the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, a bay of Lake Michigan.[3] [4]
There are 33 markers along the Old Indian Trail. Each marker is a pentagonal white stone slab, painted with its corresponding number, and featuring a small plaque reading "OLD INDIAN TRAIL CADILLAC TO TRAVERSE CITY". A number of these markers are located along major roadways, while some are on private property.
In 1940, Cadillac residents Milo Petoskey Crosby and Jim Pontiac planted the first 14 markers, between Lake Mitchell and the Manistee River. In the 1960s, the next five markers were placed by local residents Ed Babcock and James Comp. In 1987, the final 14 markers, between Buckley and Traverse City, were placed by former chairman of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Frank Ettawageshik.[5]
| 1 | Lake Mitchell Marker | ||
| 2 | Leaving the Lake Marker | ||
| 3 | Boon Marker | ||
| 4 | Sweet Spot Marker | ||
| 5 | First Plow Marker | ||
| 6 | Old Ash Marker | ||
| 7 | Circle Marker | ||
| 8 | Farm Marker | ||
| 9 | Meauwataka Marker | ||
| 10 | Gentle Grade Marker | ||
| 11 | Restful Marker | ||
| 12 | Stagecoach Marker | ||
| 13 | Freight Wagon Marker | ||
| 14 | Indian Crossing Marker South | ||
| 15 | Indian Crossing Marker North | ||
| 16 | Indian Camp Marker | ||
| 17 | Buckley South Marker | ||
| 18 | Buckley Center Marker | ||
| 19 | Buckley North Marker | ||
| 20 | Black Ash Marker | ||
| 21 | Mayfield Marker | ||
| 22 | Saint Mary Marker | ||
| 23 | Mill Road Marker | ||
| 24 | Deer Marker | ||
| 25 | Vance Road Marker | ||
| 26 | Chums Corner Marker | ||
| 27 | Rennie School Marker | ||
| 28 | Wemeck's Marker | ||
| 29 | South Airport Marker | ||
| 30 | Suburban Marker | ||
| 31 | Cass Street Marker | ||
| 32 | Boardman River Marker | ||
| 33 | West Bay Marker |