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Dearborn, March 18, 2013: Dan Harrison, a librarian at Henry Ford Community College (HFCC), will present a lecture titled “Let It Be Well Done: Community Archaeology on Michigan’s First Road” Wednesday, April 2 and 3, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room L-14 of the Liberal Studies Building. This lecture focuses on Hull’s Trace – a Michigan historical site from the War of 1812.
Hull’s Trace is now Jefferson Avenue. In 2012, the state unveiled a Michigan historical marker at the site of a surviving section of wooden or corduroy road. Plans are underway to add the site to River Raisin National Battlefield Park, which is headquartered in Monroe.
When the War of 1812 began, the United States was concerned about transporting supplies to Fort Detroit and the surrounding Michigan Territory. Since the British forces controlled Lake Erie, overland supply was the only option. Soldiers under the command of Gen. William Hull constructed what became known as “Hull’s Trace,” a 200-mile road running from Urbana, OH to Fort Detroit.
Hull’s Trace was Michigan’s first road, as well as the first military road in the United States. This segment, the only known extant portion of the original Trace, is located at approximately 36000 W. Jefferson Avenue in Brownstown Township. The North Huron River Corduroy Segment of Hull's Trace was listed on the National Register of Historical Places in 2010.
In 2012, Harrison received recognition from Congressman John D. Dingell and the Michigan War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration Commission for his efforts in researching and promoting the road as a unique archaeological site.
“The War of 1812 is often called the forgotten war, but it did more to forge the identity of Michigan than the Revolutionary War did. We went from being British subjects to American citizens. The first bloodshed on American soil was right here in Brownstown. Hopefully, the marker, and park status, will give us a chance to tell that story,” said Harrison.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. For more information, contact Harrison at 313.845.6376, or via email at [email protected].
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