Major John Biddle: First man of stature to develop acreage here
Born in 1792 in Philadelphia, Major John Biddle was a graduate of Princeton College. Shortly after graduation, he served in the War of 1812 in the Third Artillery as a Second Lieutenant under General Winfield Scott.
Major Biddle's Michigan connections began in 1818, when he acquired 1,800 acres of land in the area now known as Wyandotte, and built a summer estate on that land, called The Wyandotte. His political aspirations were high: In 1823, he was named Register Of The Land at Detroit of Michigan territory. He later served as Mayor of Detroit in 1827-1828 and was a member of the 21st Congress of the United States. Major Biddle was also President of the convention that eventually drafted Michigan's original State Constitution in 1835, two years before statehood.
Major Biddle retired from public life in 1836, and he and his family retired to his Wyandotte estate, where he split time with another residence in St. Louis, Michigan.
Another name of note was Samuel Zug, a bookkeeper by trade, who came here from Pennsylvania in 1836. Though not penniless or destitute, he came here in search of greater fortune. He would ply his trade in the furniture industry and, aligning with Detroit-area investor Marcus Stevenson began doing well for himself. The natural resources available (namely the wide variety of trees) along with the nearby presence of the river made perfect sense.
Meanwhile Samuel Polyne, he of French-Canadian descent, would become the first white settler to occupy the territory which would evolve into Romulus. He would locate there in 1826. The Jenks Pullen family would move into that area by 1833 and establish what became known as Pullen's Corners, today referred to as "Five Points" where Goddard, Grant, Huron River and Ozga Roads converge. First settler Polyne moved out of the area by 1835.
On March 17 of that year, Romulus Township was formed as the land was officially "set off" from Huron Township.
Major Biddle's Michigan connections began in 1818, when he acquired 1,800 acres of land in the area now known as Wyandotte, and built a summer estate on that land, called The Wyandotte. His political aspirations were high: In 1823, he was named Register Of The Land at Detroit of Michigan territory. He later served as Mayor of Detroit in 1827-1828 and was a member of the 21st Congress of the United States. Major Biddle was also President of the convention that eventually drafted Michigan's original State Constitution in 1835, two years before statehood.
Major Biddle retired from public life in 1836, and he and his family retired to his Wyandotte estate, where he split time with another residence in St. Louis, Michigan.
Another name of note was Samuel Zug, a bookkeeper by trade, who came here from Pennsylvania in 1836. Though not penniless or destitute, he came here in search of greater fortune. He would ply his trade in the furniture industry and, aligning with Detroit-area investor Marcus Stevenson began doing well for himself. The natural resources available (namely the wide variety of trees) along with the nearby presence of the river made perfect sense.
Meanwhile Samuel Polyne, he of French-Canadian descent, would become the first white settler to occupy the territory which would evolve into Romulus. He would locate there in 1826. The Jenks Pullen family would move into that area by 1833 and establish what became known as Pullen's Corners, today referred to as "Five Points" where Goddard, Grant, Huron River and Ozga Roads converge. First settler Polyne moved out of the area by 1835.
On March 17 of that year, Romulus Township was formed as the land was officially "set off" from Huron Township.
William I, King of the Netherlands, determines who Bois Blanc belongs to
Following the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War Of 1812, the ownership of Bois Blanc Island (southeast of Gibraltar) came under question. Upon an anoymous explorer's observations nearly one hundred years earlier, seventy Indians and their families were raising crops and other goods on the land. In 1742, Europeans first settled on the island. Not much is initially known about where these first Indian settlers relocated, but a mission was formed by the Europeans that year and continue into the 1800s.
Although the island did not play a direct role in the War Of 1812's outcome (save for a respite spot for certain troops), its ownership was undetermined. Frenchman Francois Labalene (a.k.a. "Francis The Whale") had ushered in the era of the ferry in 1820, with apparently little difficulty and interference. Some were of the opinion it was under English rule, some claimed French rule. By the 1830s, it was decided to refer the matter to Willem Frederikhe, better known as William I, King of the Netherlands. In his 1831 ruling, ownership of Bois Blanc would go to Upper Canada, remaining an English colony.
The Bois Blanc Island lighthouse would become the area's first along the Downriver section of the Detroit River. It was erected in 1837, and its initial operating beam could travel as far as 18 miles in any direction.
Although the island did not play a direct role in the War Of 1812's outcome (save for a respite spot for certain troops), its ownership was undetermined. Frenchman Francois Labalene (a.k.a. "Francis The Whale") had ushered in the era of the ferry in 1820, with apparently little difficulty and interference. Some were of the opinion it was under English rule, some claimed French rule. By the 1830s, it was decided to refer the matter to Willem Frederikhe, better known as William I, King of the Netherlands. In his 1831 ruling, ownership of Bois Blanc would go to Upper Canada, remaining an English colony.
The Bois Blanc Island lighthouse would become the area's first along the Downriver section of the Detroit River. It was erected in 1837, and its initial operating beam could travel as far as 18 miles in any direction.
Blink, you'll miss it: Americans grab Bois Blanc - for less than 24 hours
With the Jenks Pullen family still anchoring much of Romulus territory in the mid-1840s, they witnessed a brief name change from Romulus Township to Wayne Township on March 19, 1845. With no discernible explanation as to why, the name would revert back to Romulus Township without fanfare (so it is assumed) on January 16, 1848.
The first pains of population expansion hit Ecorse Township, dividing it
Residents who settled on the west side of Ecorse Township soon complained that the township offices were too far away from them. They felt it was their civic duty to donate their time and causes to the formulating governments, but the distance to travel resulted in frustration, which would then result in a petition for a new township to be formed.
Taylor Township, named after war general Zachary Taylor, was believed to be formed in 1847. The first township meeting was held April 5, 1847, at the home of Richard Sutliff. A total of forty-four attended the meeting, where the first township officers were elected.
The first official property owner registered through Taylor Township was Peter Coan, who had purchased an 80 acre parcel from the United States government seventeen years before, in 1830. |
Downriver becomes one of the first sites to have success with Underground Railroad
With the seeds having been planted long ago for a successful agricultural trade in our area, and with the cusp of change nearing for industrialization, it seems difficult and disheartening to fathom an entirely different segment of population would cause suffering for so many. That was exactly the case involving the slave trade nationwide, and Detroit as well as developing Downriver did not escape that grasp entirely.
Beginning with Fort Pontchartrain's formation in 1701, and even in years before, slaves were employed in the Michigan Territory, although the area would later be lauded by its abolitionist stance on the issue. With the Underground Railroad beckoning across the river to Canada, Downriver was on the verge of providing a lifetime solution to many. The Detroit/Downriver portion of the Railroad, in fact, proved to be the busiest route in the general area.
It was not a railroad in the physical sense, nor was it underground in the common sense. The general route and eventual destination gives its importance.
One of the earlier known mass escapes by slaves heading to freedom was in July of 1832. A total of 300 escaped their former imprisoned lives and began anew with fresh jobs to work at, thereby negating any worry about having to return to their former way of life. On the established route, Bois Blanc, Fighting and Grassy Islands were held as holding or resting areas for crew or refugees on their eventual way to freedom in Amherstburg, Ontario.
The pressure on the slave workers - and even to an extent their owners - increased with the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Slavery in the pre-Abraham Lincoln years was not frowned upon, it was seen as a luxury by plantation owners and would-bes. The act virtually eliminated all barriers toward slave capture. If a slave had made it to the north, the plantation owner could now travel north, capture that person in the middle of an anti-slavery zone and return to their point of origin without interference from the northern landowner.
It was illegal to harbor a fugitive, even though doing so may have been the morally right thing to do. Indeed, many ship captains along the Detroit River helped the slaves escape to freedom because they had a good, solid "moral compass," which was required during the Underground Railroad days. The sights of plantation owners arriving at the dock too late as they watched their owned men travel for freedom, yelling out "You Old Man!" at the boat captains were common occurrences of the time.
These captains had much to lose, especially after the 1850 act was passed. Caucasian ship captains could lose their ships and cargo to black sailors who were part of the pro-slave majority. Yet helping the men (and women) out was done without a second thought. Landside, property owners were now required to aid law authorities in the capture of slaves, even if law enforcement didn't really want to. Fines and the possible loss of land were among the threats made for non-compliance. Routes had to be held in top-secret: to this day, no clear records exist on how many found their freedom in Canada, what boats were used, or the routes taken.
Once over in Amherstburg, many former slaves took to mining iron ore, which was now being taken along the lakes thru the new Sault Ste. Marie Canal of 1855, toward states westward.
Fortunately, the end of the Civil War in 1865 brought about passage of the 13th Amendment which banned slavery forever. Two locations in Romulus; the former Kingsley House on Huron River Drive and the modern-day Romulus Wesleyan Church were stop-overs on the Railroad. To see them today and imagine them as the saviors of souls - literally - is a true exercise in history.
Beginning with Fort Pontchartrain's formation in 1701, and even in years before, slaves were employed in the Michigan Territory, although the area would later be lauded by its abolitionist stance on the issue. With the Underground Railroad beckoning across the river to Canada, Downriver was on the verge of providing a lifetime solution to many. The Detroit/Downriver portion of the Railroad, in fact, proved to be the busiest route in the general area.
It was not a railroad in the physical sense, nor was it underground in the common sense. The general route and eventual destination gives its importance.
One of the earlier known mass escapes by slaves heading to freedom was in July of 1832. A total of 300 escaped their former imprisoned lives and began anew with fresh jobs to work at, thereby negating any worry about having to return to their former way of life. On the established route, Bois Blanc, Fighting and Grassy Islands were held as holding or resting areas for crew or refugees on their eventual way to freedom in Amherstburg, Ontario.
The pressure on the slave workers - and even to an extent their owners - increased with the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Slavery in the pre-Abraham Lincoln years was not frowned upon, it was seen as a luxury by plantation owners and would-bes. The act virtually eliminated all barriers toward slave capture. If a slave had made it to the north, the plantation owner could now travel north, capture that person in the middle of an anti-slavery zone and return to their point of origin without interference from the northern landowner.
It was illegal to harbor a fugitive, even though doing so may have been the morally right thing to do. Indeed, many ship captains along the Detroit River helped the slaves escape to freedom because they had a good, solid "moral compass," which was required during the Underground Railroad days. The sights of plantation owners arriving at the dock too late as they watched their owned men travel for freedom, yelling out "You Old Man!" at the boat captains were common occurrences of the time.
These captains had much to lose, especially after the 1850 act was passed. Caucasian ship captains could lose their ships and cargo to black sailors who were part of the pro-slave majority. Yet helping the men (and women) out was done without a second thought. Landside, property owners were now required to aid law authorities in the capture of slaves, even if law enforcement didn't really want to. Fines and the possible loss of land were among the threats made for non-compliance. Routes had to be held in top-secret: to this day, no clear records exist on how many found their freedom in Canada, what boats were used, or the routes taken.
Once over in Amherstburg, many former slaves took to mining iron ore, which was now being taken along the lakes thru the new Sault Ste. Marie Canal of 1855, toward states westward.
Fortunately, the end of the Civil War in 1865 brought about passage of the 13th Amendment which banned slavery forever. Two locations in Romulus; the former Kingsley House on Huron River Drive and the modern-day Romulus Wesleyan Church were stop-overs on the Railroad. To see them today and imagine them as the saviors of souls - literally - is a true exercise in history.
Northern Michigan's discovery becomes Downriver's Dream: Eureka Iron Works
In 1853, Philip Thurber spent a summer vacationing near Marquette, Michigan. Thurber was enthralled by the recent discovery of iron ore deposits in Northern Michigan.
After testing a sample of the ore, Thurber returned to Detroit and reported the superior quality to a few potential capitalists. Among these men was Captain Eber Brock Ward, who would function as financial and organizational backbone of the Eureka Iron Company. On October 15, 1853 the Eureka Iron Company was officially recognized. |
Following an inspection of potential locations for the Eureka Iron Works, a decision was made to purchase a 2,200-acre plot from Major John Biddle known as “the Wyandotte” for $44,000 in 1854 (it was decided blast furnace operations would be more effective near a steady source of fuel, versus closer to the ore source). The location allowed for direct access to the Detroit River and was in close proximity to other natural resources including timber and limestone. Ward signed a contract with Captain William Bolton to transport the stone needed to build the Eureka Iron Factory, which had two furnaces & a rolling mill.
Meanwhile, Englishman Henry Bessemer discovered - almost by accident - that molten iron would increase in temperature if exposed to air. With the shedding of impurities and imperfections, the result was high-quality steel. He would patent this idea in 1855 and begin looking for means to implement his new process.
American William Kelly would develop a similar molten iron/steel process in Kentucky, also applying for a patent. He went into bankruptcy by 1857 however, so Bessemer's patent would be the one the new industrialized world would bear witness to - although some sources still give Kelly credit for development.
Meanwhile, Englishman Henry Bessemer discovered - almost by accident - that molten iron would increase in temperature if exposed to air. With the shedding of impurities and imperfections, the result was high-quality steel. He would patent this idea in 1855 and begin looking for means to implement his new process.
American William Kelly would develop a similar molten iron/steel process in Kentucky, also applying for a patent. He went into bankruptcy by 1857 however, so Bessemer's patent would be the one the new industrialized world would bear witness to - although some sources still give Kelly credit for development.
Downriver's initial population begins to panic with the onset of the Smallpox virus
The ever-developing riverfront industries would pale in comparison to the dreaded Smallpox virus, which is known to have hit (or threatened to have hit) Downriver with a glancing blow in 1855. Efforts to contain the advancing virus began on January 9th of that year with a meeting in Ecorse Township Clerk David LeBlanc's office. At the time the disease, feared then like polio would be 100 years later, had spread and was "now in the house of Mrs. Drouillard near the church, and likely to infest the whole township." After debate it was decided to quarantine a portion of the area by barricading Bourassa Street in the future community of Ecorse by a fence west of Morrow Avenue. The Drouillard family, referred to in an old edition of the Mellus Newspaper as "inmates," were prohibited from exiting the premises as an additional safeguard.
These efforts, which included the above occurrences also involving the home of Godfrey Robert, proved to be an initial success, as such bans were lifted several weeks later.
These efforts, which included the above occurrences also involving the home of Godfrey Robert, proved to be an initial success, as such bans were lifted several weeks later.
Industries begin to expand with the increased help of Samuel Zug
Meanwhile, after twenty-three years in the furniture business, Samuel Zug decided to part ways with his Detroit investor, put away his furniture tools, and began dabbling in real estate. One of his first major transactions was one he made for himself in 1859, as he purchased 325 acres at the mouth of the Rouge River, where he planned construction of a mansion for he and his wife. Over 250 acres of the parcel was marshland with a sulfur spring bubbling up to 1,200 barrels of mineral water a day.
Taylor Township's first post office was called Taylor Center, and was opened by 1860.
Taylor Township's first post office was called Taylor Center, and was opened by 1860.
America's Civil War hits in 1861; many Downriverites made their way to the Infantry
Three years after another smallpox outbreak proved to be another blip on the radar, America was plunged into the Civil War with the Confederation. The majority of those who would enter the ranks from our area consisted generally of farmers from Ecorse and Taylor Township. While no Downriver resident would ever hold a high ranking in the Union military and none were constituted war heroes, all enlistees in the artillery, infantry and calvary did their deeds nobly. The majority of these made up a portion of the 24th Michigan Infantry, which were part of the famed Iron Brigade of the time. Three men from the Brigade, along the family lines of Bourassa, Cicotte and LeBlanc, were killed during the war. A fourth man, Charles Gochy, would suffer battle wounds at the Battle of Gettysburg, but would survive them and live until 1904.
EUREKA! Downriver becomes first in the nation with the Bessemer Process
Bessemer's process would finally make its way to Capt. Ward's door by 1864. That year Eureka Iron would produce the first steel ingots using the Bessemer Process. Pittsburgh may be the best-known steel town in American history, but it was in Wyandotte where steel was commercially produced in America for the first time. Another first came in May 1865, with the rollout of the first Bessemer steel rails. By using the converter developed by William Kelly (who likely has never received full credit for what he did accomplish in the field), Capt. Ward was able to remove the impurities from iron to produce steel. With the implementation of this new technology, the Eureka Iron Company laid the foundation for the steel industry in the United States and modern America... and would continue to flourish and expand through the 1860s.
Changes in status were still occurring in Romulus, as the village of Romulus was formed from within in 1865. Samuel McMath would be the first settler in this latest incarnation, although he moved to the Downriver area from New York State back in 1827. Its eventual village layout would end up being based on the Lansing B. Misner "Estate of 1871."
Changes in status were still occurring in Romulus, as the village of Romulus was formed from within in 1865. Samuel McMath would be the first settler in this latest incarnation, although he moved to the Downriver area from New York State back in 1827. Its eventual village layout would end up being based on the Lansing B. Misner "Estate of 1871."
The Steel Village becomes the original Steel City: Wyandotte adopts city status
The first vestiges of Wyandotte becoming a city occurred when its greater territory achieved "home rule" city status on April 8, 1867. "Home rule" cities are defined as cities (or townships) which are free to pass laws and ordinances as they see fit to further their operations, as long as they do not deviate from state or federal standard. Non-home cities, on the other hand, can only pass laws within the parameters of the governing state.
Note on the photo to the left that it was smaller than the Wyandotte of today (for reference, the larger "chunk" to the right). The north portion of what we now know as Wyandotte would still be called Ford City Village for the time being, and the south would still be the village of Glenwood.
Boundaries for the original Wyandotte city were: Grove St. to the south, the railroad tracks to the west, Northline Road to the north, and the Detroit River to the east.
However, the industry that made Wyandotte what it was becoming during the 1870’s - the Eureka Iron Works - was starting to begin its decline. This failure occurred for several reasons. First, the facility was not designed for mass steel production; it was limited to iron only. However, instead of changing the factory’s production methods, Eber Ward decided to shift steel production to Chicago. Secondly, the amount of wood needed to operate the facility was approaching 50,000 cords annually, resulting in a timber shortage. This required the company to ship charcoal in from greater distances, resulting in higher production costs. Third, the iron market declined due to an increased demand for steel.
The second major industry along the Downriver banks of the Detroit River started in the 1870s, as shipbuilding made its debut. Here, near the Wyandotte / Ford City / Ecorse Township border, towing barges were constructed. The first vessels to launch from here were the E.B. Ward (1872), Queen of the Lake (1873) and the Spirit (1873); the first of over 250 to be built and launched in the next 47 years.
Primary, pioneer industries begin to change as second generation firms start up shop
Following an explosion at their facility a few years back and also partially due to depressed economic conditions, the Eureka Iron Works, credited with being America's first site of the Bessemer Process, shut its doors in 1893. Frederick (Solomon) Sibley, who owned a start-up quarry southwest of the factory, bought the Eureka Iron Works property and a vacant land parcel for the sum of $66,450. The land, when cleared years later, would later encompass a park named after former industrial pioneer Jerome H. Bishop.
That same year (1893) is also the year often named when referring to the old village of Wyandotte Heights changing to the village of Riverview. Various news clippings and catalogs dispute the date, however. Area city directories published as late as 33 years later still referred to at least part of this area as Wyandotte Heights. It may well be due to the same reasoning that some areas of the latter-day Southgate were still referred to as Wyandotte half-a-century later (due to mailing addresses still being processed by the Wyandotte Post Office in that regard).
That same year (1893) is also the year often named when referring to the old village of Wyandotte Heights changing to the village of Riverview. Various news clippings and catalogs dispute the date, however. Area city directories published as late as 33 years later still referred to at least part of this area as Wyandotte Heights. It may well be due to the same reasoning that some areas of the latter-day Southgate were still referred to as Wyandotte half-a-century later (due to mailing addresses still being processed by the Wyandotte Post Office in that regard).
Delray misses out on a chance to own a duplicate world landmark
While Wyandotte was lamenting the loss of one of its earliest industries, the Delray area north of Downriver was just getting started formulating the industrial practices and trades still prevalent today. But four years earlier, the area was in the discussion to have a world landmark erected at its doorstep: another Eiffel Tower to match the iconic one recently opened in Paris.
According to local area historian Greg Neubacher, George Bailey was a well-known Buffalo press agent who was visiting the Detroit Exposition being held in 1889. The Paris exposition was being held that year, for which the Eiffel Tower was its undoubted centerpiece. Bailey was a self-proclaimed expert on fairs held around the world and had just arrived from France to view Detroit's offerings. Upon inspection, he proclaimed Detroit's expo as far superior to Paris', and declared the area would benefit greatly from having a second tower constructed in Delray. At a reasonable cost of $500,000 (which today translates to $13.3 million), he believed the tower would become "one of the permanent sights of Detroit."
Nothing would go beyond the planning stages, if in fact there were any. The fair would close down at the end of 1889, and by 1893 the area would begin its eventual development for its current use by Solvay Chemical.
According to local area historian Greg Neubacher, George Bailey was a well-known Buffalo press agent who was visiting the Detroit Exposition being held in 1889. The Paris exposition was being held that year, for which the Eiffel Tower was its undoubted centerpiece. Bailey was a self-proclaimed expert on fairs held around the world and had just arrived from France to view Detroit's offerings. Upon inspection, he proclaimed Detroit's expo as far superior to Paris', and declared the area would benefit greatly from having a second tower constructed in Delray. At a reasonable cost of $500,000 (which today translates to $13.3 million), he believed the tower would become "one of the permanent sights of Detroit."
Nothing would go beyond the planning stages, if in fact there were any. The fair would close down at the end of 1889, and by 1893 the area would begin its eventual development for its current use by Solvay Chemical.
Bitter land-owner struggle ends up a sound, future business decision
While developments were beginning to take place and forming our first view of what Downriver was, the proceedings at Bois Blanc Island were not nearly as smooth. The first public views of the island had been provided by Arthur McKee Rankin and his "Kitty B" boat beginning in 1869, but he would lose the island in a foreclosure matter in 1877. Just after that time, John Atkinson and James Randall would become principle co-owners of a 225-acre frontage there, but to say they did not see eye to eye is putting it rather mildly. Accusations and threats ruled the atmosphere there, and destruction of property resulted after one terse stage of their feud, a ruined home known locally as "Randall's Wreck" for a time.
When the land was re-divided as part of a "mutual understanding," Atkinson would gain 221 of the 225 acres in question, and Randall would obtain only four. How Randall ever saw that acquisition as "understandable," no one has yet figured out.
But when Randall had the ability to sell, he did so - to William Menzies. A couple years later an upstart company called the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company entered into a 15-year lease, with an option to purchase the land outright at lease's end. Part of the lease deal included a new ferry system to transport passengers from Amherstburg and Detroit to the island.
On June 20, 1898, the Promise ferry carried the Detroit Newsboys group from the Detroit dock to the island, ushering in this new era.
But when Randall had the ability to sell, he did so - to William Menzies. A couple years later an upstart company called the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor Ferry Company entered into a 15-year lease, with an option to purchase the land outright at lease's end. Part of the lease deal included a new ferry system to transport passengers from Amherstburg and Detroit to the island.
On June 20, 1898, the Promise ferry carried the Detroit Newsboys group from the Detroit dock to the island, ushering in this new era.
Increasing people meant necessary infrastructure advances in a new age
Many years prior to the present-day, much-maligned SMART bus system, the first mass transit opened Downriver in 1898 with the debut of the Wyandotte-Detroit-Trenton Interurban line. This era actually began in the Metro area with the opening of the Detroit Suburban route in 1891, followed in 1892 with the Wyandotte & Detroit River railroad. It was estimated that as many as 500 passengers per day could ride the route, "if enough rides per day were made."
Any alternatives to the new-fangled concept of interurban travel were limited to the Indian Trails dotting the area, dating back to before Michigan's founding. The main trail connecting the metro areas was the French/Indian Trail between Toledo, Monroe and Detroit; obviously the closest one to our area. This route would join with a similar route heading north toward Saginaw.
The newly-formed Michigan legislature would end up chartering private companies to build and operate Turnpikes, or "Plank Roads," whose definition was literal: these were simply a series of oak planks strung together. This was later discontinued when the use of gravel became more popular and practical. Private contractors ended up grabbing franchises at a then-dizzying pace, then would hold fast onto them without making progress. Whether it was due to lack of materials, confusion in franchising, legitimacy questions about the franchise holders, or the relative newness of the road idea, numbers from 1900 show that only eleven percent of franchises (23 of 202) had followed through on their winning bids. These would be the only transportation choices through our area for over a decade.
Any alternatives to the new-fangled concept of interurban travel were limited to the Indian Trails dotting the area, dating back to before Michigan's founding. The main trail connecting the metro areas was the French/Indian Trail between Toledo, Monroe and Detroit; obviously the closest one to our area. This route would join with a similar route heading north toward Saginaw.
The newly-formed Michigan legislature would end up chartering private companies to build and operate Turnpikes, or "Plank Roads," whose definition was literal: these were simply a series of oak planks strung together. This was later discontinued when the use of gravel became more popular and practical. Private contractors ended up grabbing franchises at a then-dizzying pace, then would hold fast onto them without making progress. Whether it was due to lack of materials, confusion in franchising, legitimacy questions about the franchise holders, or the relative newness of the road idea, numbers from 1900 show that only eleven percent of franchises (23 of 202) had followed through on their winning bids. These would be the only transportation choices through our area for over a decade.