Remembering Our Ancestors Through Genealogy

A History of Iron County Michigan by Jack Hill Published in 1955, "A History of Iron County Michgan" gives the history and other interesting facts about this Upper Peninsula county. The book was originally printed in two columns. In order to improve the readability of the pages on a web browser it was converted to single column by combining every two original lines. With this exception the transcription was done without changes or corrections. Chapter 5 - The Military Road Grant

22     HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY, MICHIGAN     Chapter V   THE MILITARY ROAD GRANT      During the course of the Civil War, some fear was felt for the vital copper industry of the Upper Peninsula which was completely isolated during the winter months. The only contact enjoyed by the residents with the outer world were the occasional mail deliveries made by packers on snow shoes or with the aid of dog teams.    In the interest of national safety and as a likely avenue for the re- moval of urgently needed copper, it was deemed advisable to con- struct a military road between Fort Wilkins on Keweenaw Point and Forts Howard and Atkinson in Wisconsin.    The route as finally settled upon led southwest from Fort Wilkins through the copper range to a point near Rockland whence it fol- lowed a general southerly course to the west of Lac Vieux Desert.    Upon entering Wisconsin the road divided, one branch heading southeast to meet the roads leading to Fort Howard at Green Bay, while the other followed the Wisconsin River to contact the roads leading to Fort Atkinson near Madison.    In 1863, Congress provided aid to the States of Michigan and Wis- consin by granting alternate sec- HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY, MICHIGAN    23 tions of land for a width of three miles on each side of the proposed road.    The terms of the grant specified that the road should be not less than thirty-two feet wide, the timber to be cut to a width of at least six rods, bridges and culverts to be provided where need- ed, and stumps and roots to be removed from ditches. Hills were also to be leveled and swamps and valleys raised to make as easy a grade as practicable.      The work was undertaken by Samuel W. Hill, director of the Quincy Mine at Hancock who later fathered the canal project from Portage Lake to Portage entry. Many subcontractors were engaged and the road was completed in due time.    With the exception of its northern extremity, there is no record that the road was ever used, the railroads that soon made their entry serving the needs to better advantage.    The lands appropriated for the purpose were selected, however. In Iron County these lands totaled approximately 73,000 acres and occupied the even numbered sections in Ranges 36 and 37 with the exception of Townships 42 and 43, Range 36. In the latter township, only five sections were chosen.