Indian Trail Markers Restored

Buckmaster restoring a marker (photo from the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau)

from the Cadillac Area Visitor's Bureau

The thirty-three markers that indicate the general route of a Native American Trail, known as the Cadillac-Traverse City Old Indian Trail have been deteriorating, but some have now been restored.

Beginning in the 1940's portions of the trail were rediscovered and markers 1-19 were placed. The remaining 14 were erected by the Grand Traverse sesquicentennial group in 1987.

The trail is no longer a footpath, but you can drive from marker to marker, with some short hikes. There is an online guide at the Cadillac Area Visitor's Bureau

Recently, the concrete markers in Wexford County have been restored by Scott Buckmaster. He says, "I was honored to be asked by the Cadillac Area Visitor’s Bureau to help refurbish The Old Indian Trail Markers in Wexford County. Many were suffering from cracks, gouges, vehicular damage, prybar marks and shotgun blasts and I was able to set right what others and time had felt necessary to damage and destroy."

Each marker is a flat obelisk. Most have a bronze plaque that says "Old Indian Trail - Cadillac to Traverse City." Having personally visited each marker, I know that restoration work was needed. Buckmaster, himself of Cadillac, has repaired and repainted eleven of the markers, helping to preserve this meticulously documented historical pathway.



See a two part article about this trail at Ludington Daily News (3 free articles, then subscription required)
Part 1
Part 2

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