Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Dixie Highway
Mackinaw City Historical Pathway
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
1. The Dixie Highway Marker
Since the beginning of the 20th century, two main roads brought tourists to Northern Michigan. These roads were the East and West Pikes and they converged in Mackinaw City. In 1915 the East Pike became part of the Dixie Highway, a series of roads that allowed travel from Miami, Florida to Mackinaw City. Until the freeway system was built in the 1960s, it was the major route north and south linking the Midwest with the Southern states.
The development of the Dixie Highway was spearheaded by Carl Fisher, an Indianapolis car dealer. He also was responsible for building the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909.
Source: Memories of Mackinaw, Judy Ranville and Nancy Campbell
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.
Location. 45° 46.899′ N, 84° 43.513′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. Marker is at the intersection of East Central Avenue and Langlade Street, on the right when traveling west on East Central Avenue. Marker is located directly in front of the "Dixie
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Dixie Highway (here, next to this marker); Historic Mackinaw City (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackinaw City (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); Chief Wawatam (within shouting distance of this marker); The Algomah (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac? (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackinaw's Civil War Dahlgren Cannons (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.
Also see . . .
1. Map of the Dixie Highway.
This map, issued by the NHA in 1915, shows the Dixie Highway, proposed by the Dixie Highway Association and endorsed by the NHA. The projected route runs from Mackinaw City, Michigan, to Miami, Florida. In order to traverse major cities of the Midwest, and especially Chicago and Detroit, part of the route is divided into eastern and western divisions. (Submitted on August 17, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Carl Graham Fisher: Mr. Miami Beach. Carl Graham Fisher, an Indiana native,
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
2. The Dixie Highway Marker (wide view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
3. The Dixie Highway Marker ("Pike trips" detail)
Caption: Tourists often traveled to Mackinaw City by organizing "Pike trips" in the early 1900's
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
4. The Dixie Highway Marker (northern terminus plaque detail)
Caption: A plaque on the monument marking the northern terminus of the Dixie Highway
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
5. The Dixie Highway Marker (monument detail)
Caption: The monument was located at the intersection where the clock stands today
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 29, 2017
6. The Dixie Highway Marker (Monument Detail)
Caption: The unveiling of the Dixie Highway Monument - 1916
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 19, 2019
7. The Dixie Highway Marker
Marker is in front of the Dixie Saloon, next to the streetlight.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 473 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on October 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 17, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 7. submitted on October 4, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
