M-26, the Lakeshore Drive

I took a drive on M-26 between Copper Harbor and Eagle River during my visit to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. M-26 hugs the shoreline of Lake Superior in Keweenaw County, Michigan's least populous and arguably most scenic county in the state. This lake shore drive is a pleasant alternative to US 41 in the area, which is another pleasant drive in its own right. US 41's northern end is about a mile north of where it meets M-26. That's a long way from Miami, Florida.

Starting in the little town of Copper Harbor, let's start our drive south along the lake...

One for the vintage neon sign fans. This was for an inn in Copper Harbor.

Lake Superior to our right here. If you are driving out of Copper Harbor on M-26, you have the choice of staying on the lake or taking the Brockway Mountain Drive, which I wish I had also driven while in Copper Harbor.

Lake Superior continues.

M-26's stone arch bridge over the Silver River at Silver River Falls.

Approaching Eagle Harbor...

...and just like that, we're entering Eagle Harbor.

Rustic signage in Eagle Harbor.

Eagle Harbor has a lighthouse. I think it's worth stopping to check out.

But first let's squint and learn about the history of Eagle Harbor, Michigan. Horace Greeley was here.

There she is, the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse.

The original lighthouse at Eagle Harbor was built in 1851, and replaced with the current brick lighthouse in 1871. If you are compelled to visit the lighthouse, you may visit the lighthouse and museum from the middle of June to early October.

Views of Eagle Harbor from the lighthouse grounds. It reminded me a bit of the Maine Coast.

Eagle Harbor's harbor.

M-26 at the Great Sand Bay. The Keweenaw Peninsula is at about the halfway point on Lake Superior between Duluth, Minnesota and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan/Ontario.

Lake Superior and Great Sand Bay as seen from M-26. The inland sea was calm this September morning.

Jacobs Falls, which is a nice roadside waterfall between Eagle Harbor and Eagle River.

Eagle River Falls in Eagle River. This can be seen on an old bridge that is currently just open for pedestrians, right next to M-26.

The old bridge in question. I believe that M-26 once used this bridge to cross the Eagle River.

Historical plaque for Douglass Houghton, a prominent scientist in the early history of Michigan. The city of Houghton, Michigan is named is his honor. After this, it was a quick drive through Eagle River and back to US 41.

How to Get There:

Sources and Links:
Michigan's Upper Peninsula - Keweenaw County
Lighthouse Friends - Eagle Harbor Lighthouse

Former California State Route 24 through the Kennedy Tunnel and Old Tunnel Road

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The original alignment of California State Route 1 in San Francisco

In 2019 the Gribblenation Blog Series covered the history of the Hyde Street Pier and the original surface alignment of US Route 101 in San Francisco. Given the Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic in May of 1937 coupled with the fact that the Sign State Routes had been announced in August of 1934 there were still some open questions regarding the original highway alignments in San Francisco. Namely the question of this blog is; where was California State Route 1 prior to the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge? Thanks the to the discovery of a 1936 Shell Highway Map of San Francisco and the California Highways & Public Works the answer can be conveyed clearly. Part 1; the history of early California State Route 1 in San Francisco The genesis point for California State Route 1 ("CA 1") in San Francisco dates to 1933. 1933 was significant due to the State Legislature allowing the Division of Highways to assume maintenance of highways in Cities for the first time.

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Santa Clara County Route G8 is a 29.38 mile County Sign Route which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area transportation corridor. Santa Clara County Route G8 begins at California State Route 152 near the outskirts of Gilroy and terminates at former US Route 101 at 1st Street/Monterey Road near downtown San Jose. Santa Clara County Route G8 incorporates the notable Almaden Expressway and is historically tied to the New Almaden Quicksilver Mine. (Santa Clara County Route G8 map image courtesy CAhighways.org) Part 1; the history of Santa Clara County Route G8, the Almaden Road corridor and New Almaden Mine The present corridor of Santa Clara County Route G8 ("G8") began to take shape with the emergence of the Almaden Expressway. According to the October 1960 California Highways & Public Works Unit 1 of the Almaden Expressway opened in November of 1959 between Alma Avenue near downtown San Jose south to the Guadalupe River as part of a Federal Highway Aid Secondary pro

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