Native American Trails

Native American Trails. . , Centuries ago, Indian trails crossed the landscape of Washtenaw County. These paths connected Indian villages to fertile hunting and fishing grounds throughout Michigan. When settlers arrived in the County during the 19th century, these same trails were used to link growing communities. Eventually, some of these trails became part of the current road system. , , The Leonard Preserve is located along a former Native American trail following the River Raisin. The river was part of a route that provided a means of travel between Lakes Erie and Michigan with little portage. The region's dense forests and waters of the River Raisin provided an abundance of food for the County's first inhabitants. , , W. B. Hinsdale Map , During the 1920s, University of Michigan professor, W. B. Hinsdale, compiled one of the most comprehensive surveys of Native American trails and sites in Michigan at that time. Through his research, Hinsdale created a vibrant picture of Native American life around the state before European settlement. , Hinsdale, W. B. 1927. The Indians of Washtenaw County, Michigan, Ann Arbor: George Wahr, 1927. , Courtesy of Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan , , Sign provided by the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission