July 18, 2006

When four high school students participate in a summer internship with a retired high school history teacher, they become detectives searching for information about the Old Chicago Road, one of Michigan's earliest transportation routes. Best of all, they embark on a road trip in "Evelyn," the teacher's 1975 Cadillac convertible, which takes them from Detroit to Chicago. En route they discover that the fascinating story of this special thoroughfare has been with them all the time.

This is the premise of "From Moccasins to Main Street," an engaging film that is a unique combination of historical documentary, drama and travelogue. Guided by an oversight team from the Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries, the hour-long film will begin to be seen on public television stations throughout Michigan and beyond this fall. The project was funded in part with a $60,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation Enhancement Fund through the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office.

"The Sauk Trail, the Chicago Road, Michigan Avenue, US-12 - the road has many names," said Michigan Historical Center Director Sandra Clark. "When you drive this road today, through small towns and cities alike, you follow in the footsteps of generations of travelers. ‘From Moccasins to Main Street' tells the story of this important road through the eyes of four young people who learn that history is all around us, if we take the time to look for it."

As the film's fictional characters explain, US-12 began as a Native American foot trail. Explorers, missionaries and fur trappers traveled the path, which became a military road connecting Fort Detroit to Fort Dearborn, at present-day Chicago. Eventually communities grew up along the road at distances convenient for refreshing the horses - and the passengers - of stagecoaches. During the 20^th century, drive-in restaurants and theaters and tourist sites sprang up along the road, catering to the automobile traveler.

"US-12 has outstanding historic resources, leading to its 2002 designation as one of Michigan's Heritage Routes," said Pete Hanses, manager, Michigan Heritage Route."MDOT was please to award an enhancement grant for this film, which will inspire viewers to travel this important route."

Mike Mort of Equity Studios wrote and directed the film. Equity Studios specializes in films about Michigan, with credits that include "To Have and To Hold: A Call to Preserve the Lighthouses of Michigan," "A Clean Slate: The Story of Michigan's One Room Schools" and "Archways to Our Past: The Story of Michigan's Historic Highway Bridges."

More than 400 DVD copies of "From Moccasins to Main Street" have been sent to Michigan libraries and intermediate school districts, colleges and universities and historical societies. Copies of the film are available through Equity Studios at (269) 651-1686 or mikemort@equitystudios.com.

The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Michigan Historical Center, which also includes the Archives of Michigan, the Office of the State Archaeologist, the Michigan Historical Museum system, Michigan History magazine and Michigan Records Management Services. The historical center is an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, which is dedicated to strengthening the economy and enriching the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity. In addition, HAL includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

For information about the Michigan Department of Transportation Enhancement Fund, which funded this project, contact the Office of Transportation Economic Development and Enhancement at (517) 335-1069 or visit www.michigan.gov/tea.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.