Near St. Ignace in Mackinac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Honoring James P. Pitz

St. Ignace Welcome Center

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 25, 2025

1. Honoring James P. Pitz Marker

Inscription. As director of the Michigan Department of Transportation from 1983 to 1990, James P. Pitz placed major emphasis on organizational development, allowing the department to undertake some of its biggest highway improvement programs with a reduced work force. He led successful efforts to complete the Zilwaukee Bridge near Saginaw, and won wide acclaim from the engineering fraternity and the motoring public for the department's timely reconstruction of the John Lodge Freeway through Detroit. Additionally, Mr. Pitz was instrumental in establishing the St. Ignace Welcome Center. As president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, he provided strong input on the post-Interstate Freeway national transportation plan and helped position Michigan to take a prominent role in the development of Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems. The American Public Works Association named him one of the nation's top ten public works leaders in 1990.

Erected by Michigan Department of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1983.

Location. 45° 50.983′ N,

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84° 43.337′ W. Marker is near St. Ignace, Michigan, in Mackinac County. It is at the intersection of Interstate 75 and Densmore Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Interstate 75. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Ignace MI 49781, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

and on the Straits of Mackinac.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mackinac Straits (here, next to this marker); A Trail to Adventure (within shouting distance of this marker); David B. Steinman (approx. 0.3 miles away); South Tower Fog Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mackinac Bridge Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Prentiss M. Brown, Michigan Lawyer, Mackinac Visionary (approx. 0.3

Photographed by Craig Doda, May 25, 2025

2. Honoring James P. Pitz Marker

miles away); Mackinac Bridge, Michigan (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Ignace.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.