Native American Trails You don't have to go far in Ann Arbor to find evidence of the influence of local Native American tribes -- just head for the nearest highway. Native Americans in Washtenaw County set up trading posts along two major trails they call the "the Great Sauk Trail" and "St. Joseph's Trail." These trails went past Detroit and through Chicago into present day Ann Arbor and are now US 112 and US 12, respectively. With few exceptions local modern highways follow these old footpaths that connected villages with each other and local hunting and fishing grounds. Trails were often only 12 to 18 inches wide, permitting travel only by single file. When white settlers arrived, they broadened these trails to accommodate their horses and wagons. Click here to see a map of early Native American footpaths in Michigan. The most famous Indian trail in Michigan is the "Great Sauk Trail" which ran between Detroit and Chicago. Now US-112, it is believed to be the oldest Native American trail in the region. The Chippewas, Potowatomi, Sauks, and Fox tribes all used the trail for annual trips to Ontario, Canada to meet with representatives of the English government. Because photography was not invented until the nineteenth century, the pictures in this section do not represent Native tribes as they looked when settlers first moved into the Ann Arbor area in 1824. Click here to see a pictures of a Native American woman from Michigan in the nineteenth century. The Sauk Trail was also used by these tribes in their attacks on Detroit during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Some Native American tribes fought on the side of England against the American colonists. Click here to see a picture of Okemos, Chief of the Chippewa tribe. Although the dates are not exact, most historians record that Okemos was Chief from the age of 20 in approximately 1789 until his death in 1858. Traces of original Native American trails almost seem to have vanished from Ann Arbor. But with a little imagination on your next car trip, remember these narrow foot paths now covered in concrete and asphalt. These first Michigan residents made significant contributions to Ann Arbor"s local heritage. Click here to see a map of Michigan highways and compare the highway system to the Native American trail map listed above. Questions for Discussion: Use masking tape to lay out a 12-18 inch "trail" in your classroom and have student try walking in single file, pairs, or in groups. Which method works best on the trail? Why do you think Native Americans used such narrow trails? Why were the trails widened when white settlers moved into the area? Why would Native Americans fight on the side of the English against the North American colonists? The city of Ann Arbor is in Washtenaw County. "Washtenaw" means "the great land beyond." Can you think of other street or place names in Ann Arbor that use Native American words? More about Ann Arbor's Native American Heritage

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