Relive the War of 1812 with Pair of Presentations in Dearborn

Editor's note: This press release was submitted by Henry Ford Community College.

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” on April 2 and 3.

The presentation will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room L-14 of the Liberal Studies Building, and 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, Ohio 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 U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, 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, email dharrisn@hfcc.edu. 

On April 3, the Dearborn Historical Museum will host a lecture at 7:30 p.m. at the McFadden-Ross House, 915 Brady St.

The lecture is titled "Michigan at War." Dr. James McConnell, a local expert on the War of 1812, will speak on the "Struggle for the Old Northwest, 1812-1815."

The lecture is sponsored by the Dearborn Historical Museum Guild and the Dearborn Historical Society.

The event is free, but donations to the Guild will be accepted.