Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Dixie Highway

Mackinaw City Historical Pathway

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

1. The Dixie Highway Marker

Inscription. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, two main roads, the East and West Pikes, brought tourists to Northern Michigan and specifically Mackinaw City. In 1915 the East Pike, US-27, became part of the Dixie Highway, a series of roads connecting Miami, Florida to Mackinaw City. The West Pike, US-31, connected to Chicago. Their merger was celebrated at the Dixie Monument, where the clock now stands.

In 1909 an Indianapolis automobile dealer decided to promote America's infant automobile industry. In 1911, he financed the building of the town of Miami Beach, Florida with the dream of promoting a north-south highway system. That system became the Dixie Highway and connected Mackinaw City to Miami Beach. The Dixie Monument celebrating that completion was dedicated in 1916. It survived until 1954.

The Dixie Monument

As part of his promotion, Carl Fisher convinced Mackinaw City, as the northern terminus of his road, to build a monument. The 20-foot tall Dixie Monument was composed of small stones, each of which was brought to the spot by a local farmer or villager. Every man, woman, and child within a radius of 10 miles

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is represented. It was designed and constructed by a local farmer.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 45° 46.9′ N, 84° 43.516′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. It is at the intersection of East Central Avenue and Langlade Street, on the right when traveling west on East Central Avenue. Marker is in front of the Dixie Saloon. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 East Central Avenue, Mackinaw City MI 49701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula,

on the Straits of Mackinac,

and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Water Highway (a few steps from this

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 12, 2025

2. The Dixie Highway Marker

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); a different marker also named The Algomah (within shouting distance of this marker); Shepler's Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac? (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Dixie Highway (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Historic Mackinaw City (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Algomah (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac? (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Dixie Highway. Excerpt:

The Dixie Highway was inspired by
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

3. The Dixie Highway Marker
the example of the slightly earlier Lincoln Highway, the first road across the United States. The prime booster of both projects was promoter and businessman Carl G. Fisher. It was overseen by the Dixie Highway Association and funded by a group of individuals, businesses, local governments, and states. In the early years, the U.S. federal government played little role, but from the early 1920s on it provided increasing funding until 1927. That year the Dixie Highway Association was disbanded and the highway was taken over by the federal government as part of the U.S. Route system, with some portions becoming state roads.

(Submitted on January 13, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2024

4. The Dixie Highway Marker

The marker is now nestled between outdoor tables for the Dixie Saloon.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

5. Clock Tower

This is the view of the clock tower that sits where the Dixie Monument formerly occupied as seen from the Dixie Saloon entrance.

Carl G. Fisher image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bain News Service, N.Y.C., May 28, 1909

6. Carl G. Fisher

Carl G. Fisher had the idea for the Dixie Highway after having worked on the Lincoln Highway as an east-west travel route. -Public Domain

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 563 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 13, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2. submitted on July 28, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on January 13, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on August 19, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on January 13, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.