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Route History for US 2 in Michigan (and near Florence, Wisconsin)

• In 1926, the route US 2 now follows was numbered as MI 12, except between Iron Mountain and Crystal Falls, where it was numbered as MI 69 in Michigan and WI 69 in Wisconsin. Between St. Ignace and Gould City, MI 12 followed what is now Business I 75, Mackinac Trail, MI 123, Worth Road, US 2 Hiawatha Trail Road, and County Route H40. Between Manistique and Cooks, MI 12 followed what is today Deer Street, MI 149, and County Route 442. Between Beechwood and Watersmeet, MI 12 followed what is now Federal Forest Highway 16, Federal Forest Road 157, and Old US Highway 2. In 1926, most of the route was improved (not paved). Sections of the road which were paved included between Blaney Park and Hermansville, Loretto and Iron Mountain, Crystal Falls and Iron River, and Wakefield and the Wisconsin state line.
• By 1928, MI 12, MI 69, and WI 69 had been renumbered as US 2. Instead of beginning in St. Ignace, US 2 began in Sault Ste. Marie and followed what is now MI 129, Rockview Road, 3 Mile Road, MI 134, Mackinac Trail, MI 123, Worth Road, US 2 Hiawatha Trail Road, and County Route H40 to Gould City. This section of US 2 was improved (not paved) in 1928. Beyond Gould City, the road remained the same as it was in 1926.
• By 1951, US 2 had been rerouted between Sault Ste. Marie and Gould City. The route US 2 followed is now called Business I 75, County Route H63, MI 48, Mackinac Trail, Business I 75, and what is now US 2. The route was also realigned to its current path between Manistique and Cooks.
• By 1963, US 2 had been rerouted to its current path between Beechwood and Watersmeet.
• By 1964, I 75 had been completed between Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace, and US 2 was rerouted to the I 75 roadway.
• By 1996, no longer followed I 75, beginning in St. Ignace instead.

Key to Abbreviations for Route Numbers:

• US - US Highway
• I - Interstate Highway (Eisenhower Interstate System)
• MI - Michigan State Highway
• WI - Wisconsin State Highway

External websites of interest:

• Additional historical information about US 2 in Michigan can be found on the Michigan Highways website.
• Additional historical information about US 2 in Wisconsin can be found on the Wisconsin Highways website.

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