Island-Hopping the Straits
In 1920 the need for extensive highways in Michigan was becoming evident and Horatio S. Earle, highway commissioner, suggested a submerged, floating tunnel. A counter-proposal was made by C. E. Fowler, a consulting engineer from New York City.
The Fowler proposal suggested a series of causeways and bridges starting near Cheboygen and proceeding via Bois Blanc Island, Round Island and Mackinac Island to St. Ignace. In 1934 the Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority engaged Fowler to further detail this route. The cost was estimated at $35 million. Funding was requested from the federal government but was denied.
Fortunately for Mackinac Island, this route was never realized, and its auto-free lifestyle continues unchanged.
Marker can be reached from North Huron Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
