State Reward Road No. 1

Michigan's state highway system began with the State Reward Road program, created by the Michigan Legislature in 1905 to provide rewards to local governments for road improvements made according to state standards. Horatio "Good Roads" Earle, the state highway commissioner, traveled the state to build local interest in better roads. Elkland Township became the first municipality to receive a reward after spending $985 to widen a rutted wagon road to nine feet and gravel one mile between the corner of Elkland Cemetery and what became Crawford Road, later M-81. The township then received a $500 reward, and State Reward Road No. 1 marked the beginning of state aid for local roads.

Michigan · United States