What did President Lincoln have to do with the UP of Michigan? He commissioned a road for the military to use for access to the copper mines! Hwy 45

This road was built to connect the two forts during the Civil War for rapid reinforcements. Although used to connect the two forts, a trail used to reside in the same spot used for Indians and fur traders. This road also had many other uses such as connecting the northern timber resources with the rest of the world. This road played a large role in connecting the Upper Peninsula with the rest of the country at the time which later will play a major role in industrializing the mining operations in the Upper Peninsula.

In March 1863 the United States made a land grant to the states of Michigan and Wisconsin to build a military wagon road from fort to fort so that supplies, ammunition and mail could be transported from Green Bay to Lake Superior in case the passage around was cut off by an enemy in a future war. Around this time the United States was expanding and placing forts in key areas such as Fort Wilkins and Fort Howard.

The Union had a clear advantage midway through the war with better access to resources and industry over the Confederates. This was the main reason for Lincoln to approve of this military road to be built from Fort Howard to Fort Wilkins. Although it is not thought to be near Marquette today, this was to secure the copper and iron that was in abundance in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for Union troop supplies.  The Military road wasn’t actually finished until 1872 which was long after the Civil War had ended

Thanks to Sondra! https://ss.sites.mtu.edu/mhugl/2016/10/17/the-military-road/