User:The ed17/Sandbox/Cloverland Trail

The Cloverland Trail was the name of an early highway between the Upper Peninsula of Michigan counties of Iron and Gogebic.

Etymology
The name of the trail came from Robert A. Douglas when he was serving as the editor of the Ironwood News-Record newspaper.

History
During the 1910s, a road was developed through Iron County running from Dickinson County through Crystal Falls and Iron River and on to Gogebic County. Between Iron River and the county line, the road crossed three rivers: Cook's Run River, the Paint River and the Tamarack River. In 1915 the Michigan State Highway Department let out contracts to construct 50 ft spans over each river; these bridges were designated Trunk Line Bridges 26, 27, and 28, respectively. Barnum and Counihan were awarded the contracts to build the bridges at Cook's Run and over the Tamarack River. The Tamarack River bridge was completed in 1916 at a cost of $2,826.10..

The Forest Route 157–Tamarack River Bridge was the last link in the trunk line route and on July 21, 1916 was the site of the formal dedication of the route. It was located near the Sans Souci flag railroad station on a Chicago and North Western line. 1,500 people took part, although many of them were forced to arrive by train, alongside about 270 automobiles and motorcars. Food included 1500 lb of meat.

In the 1920s the Cloverland Trail developed into US Highway 2, but by 1942 the segment crossing the Tamarack River had been realigned, and the old section re-designated as a Forest Road in the Ottawa National Forest.

Public reception
The Cloverland Trail's construction and route were the subject of much praise after its opening.