3rd Blue Star (1949)
Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan (currently Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc.), in cooperation with the Michigan State Highway Department, dedicated a Blue Star Memorial Highway in Sault Ste. Marie in the Spring of 1949. The Sault Ste. Marie marker was initially installed at the junction of US 2 and M-129 in Chippewa County.
This marker was one of five original Highway markers designed in 1946, paying tribute to the Nation’s Armed Forces of WW II, and placed at strategic locations on Michigan’s Blue Star Memorial Highway in the late 1940’s. The five locations included Niles, Mackinaw City, Sault Ste. Marie, Muskegon, and Traverse City.
US 2, as it existed in 1949, officially was declared part of Michigan’s Blue Star Memorial Highway by Act 71 of 1952. Act 71 was repealed, and Act 142 became effective October 26, 2001. Act 142 terminated Michigan’s Blue Star Memorial Highway at the county line of Emmet and Cheboygan counties, eliminating the Upper Peninsula from its scope.
The photo, taken in 1950, depicts the marker at its original location. In 2003, a search for this marker was undertaken. Between 1950 and 2003, the highway was significantly changed. Using the stone pile visible in the far right of the photo, the location was believed to be found. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the marker.