Scope and content note: Michigan established a highway department in 1905. For a short history of the department, researchers should look at A Guide to the State Archives of Michigan: State Records, by Valerie Gerrard Browne and Dave Johnson (pp. 79-81). These records, which were acquired in 1983, were collected by the department's librarian. The material includes some printed works. Conference materials, 1949-1974 (.9 cu. ft.). Contains transcripts of speeches by John C. Mackie (State Highway Commissioner from 1957-1964) and summaries of the accomplishments of the Mississippi Valley Conference of State Highway Departments. The conference was founded by Thomas H. MacDonald, State Highway Engineer for the Iowa State Highway Commission, A.N. Johnson, Chief engineer in charge of survey and construction for the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, and A.R. Hirst, Engineer in charge of surveys and construction for the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. They first met in 1907. The conference convened formally for the first time in 1909. Michigan was a charter member. Road improvement was the goal of the conference. Arranged chronologically. Data pertaining to railroads, ca. 1918 (1.5 cu. ft.). These documents were used in the publication Aids, gifts, grants and donations to railroads including Outline of development and successions in titles to rail roads in Michigan by the Michigan Railroad Commission. The information, done in chart form, was drawn from various sources. The research for the data supplied was stated in August, 1914. A preliminary study of the subject disclosed that if the results were to be of value, not only the subject of aids, gifts, grants and donations required attention, but the historic connection of the corporate entities receiving financial assistance in the years of railroad development should be traced. Consequently the material details the various corporate entities that held franchises or tangible property that was awarded to the various carrier companies operating in the state. Funding was accomplished through many means including government land grants. While railroad development under land grant encouragement was not rapid, it made good progress. The record includes an abstract from department records of all references to such aids. Arranged as received. Highway Advisory Board Minutes, 1919-1964 (3 cu. ft.). Consists of minutes, maps, program proposals, payroll summaries, newspaper clippings, route location, and publications. The publications include Highway Needs in Michigan (1948, vol. 10); and Modern Highways for Michigan (1955. vol. 13). Arranged chronologically. Mackinac Bridge Authority Minutes, 1938-1948 (.5 cu. ft.). Contains the proceedings of the bridge authority detailing construction and financing of the Mackinac Bridge. Includes sketches and plans for the bridge. The bridge was not constructed until the fifties (1954-1957). Arranged as received. Maps, 1922-1962 (2.5 cu. ft.). Contains three different kind of maps: construction, road, and traffic flow. The construction maps detail plans in specific areas and stretches of expressway listed in the location guide (emphasis on Detroit and Wayne County). The road maps include a Rand McNally Auto Trails map from 1922 and projected expressways for the state. The traffic flow maps detail the growing numbers of automobiles in Michigan from 1929 to 1962. Arranged alphabetically. Patents, 1924-1952 (.4 cu. ft.). Contains patent specifications for patents named as well as for related devices, correspondence, invoices, and mutual agreements to patent rights. In one case, the rights on grader blades, the patent rights were in contention due to Michigan's claim of having used that kind of road maintenance blade well in advance of the patent filing date. The other patents are the result of inventions by Department of Transportation employees. Edward Evans was responsible for the auto-stop barrier, and B.R. Downey, Herbert Moore, Orville E. Eicheng, and Frank Ballew for the sand spreader. Arranged alphabetically by patent title. Photographs, 1905-1958 (3.5 cu. ft.). Contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, cartoons, greeting cards and articles from Michigan Roads and Airports as well as photographs. The photographs in the scrapbooks consist of portraits, picnic activities, work gangs on road construction projects, scenic roads, lakes and rivers. The traffic observation photographs document the weekend traffic on Michigan expressways. Arranged alphabetically. Public Transportation Council Papers, 1977-1979 (2.9 cu. ft.). Contains minutes, correspondence, organizational charts, position papers, and legal agreements. The council, which was established in 1972, advises the department on policy decisions involving mass transit. This includes dial-a-ride programs, bus transport, railroad and port facilities, intercity passenger services, and railroad abandonment. Arranged chronologically. Reports and Publications, 1903-1980 (7.5 cu. ft.). Contains photographs, correspondence, and maps, as well as reports and publications on departmental organization, expressways and highways, general history and works, safety, technical specifications, and traffic studies. Reports on departmental organization (1927-1967) document department programs, personnel, and finances. "How to get the job done fairly and competently" is the focus of these materials. The reports on expressways and highways (1925-1973) detail plans for current highways, and future expressways. Some of the expressways were actually implemented, such as the Willow Run system, and some were not, such as the Trans-Michigan Turnpike. A substantial amount of material deals exclusively with the Detroit area. The general histories/works (1903-1980) include histories of the department written every decade from the 1930's to the 1970's. Printed road maps and other general works document the state's transportation system. Includes plans for road side parks (1946), information on a fifty million dollar bond issue (1926) and the Mackinac Bridge Authority Agreement (1953). The reports on safety (1936-1966) include plans for snow removal, emergency surfacing of roads, and general safety designs. Technical reports (1916-1963) cover various subjects: concrete reinforcement, asphaltic oils, joint design, and reflective road signs. Traffic study reports (1931 to 1964) include many traffic pattern and road usage studies for urban areas around the state. Also, methods for conducting the studies is included. Arranged alphabetically and chronologically. Ephemera, 1910-1980 (.4 cu. ft.). Contains Christmas cards, correspondence, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, posters, post-cards, sheet music, and tickets. Includes a profile of Frank F. Rogers, Highway Commissioner in 1928, documentation of the Lewis Cass building fire in 1951, promotions of the Mackinac Bridge, and information on expressways, souvenir programs for picnics, conference programs, and ferry schedules, The two posters are on funding for good roads and a photograph of the first traffic light in Syracuse, New York in 1922. The sheet music is for a song titled "Highways are Happy Ways." Arranged alphabetically then chronologically.
