5th Blue Star (May 2, 1950)
In 1949, three Traverse City garden clubs initiated a roadside development near a scenic turnout on US 31 overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. The roadside development was on the east side of US 31 and extended for 4 1/2 miles towards Traverse City. It began just past McRae Hill Road.
At the completion of this beautification project, Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan (currently Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc.), in cooperation with the Michigan State Highway Department, dedicated the Highway marker. Michigan records state that the dedication occurred on May 2, 1950 along US 31, south of Traverse City at the site of the roadside development.
This Highway marker was purchased by the three Traverse City garden clubs.
This marker was the fifth of five original Highway markers designed in 1946, paying tribute to the Nation’s Armed Forces of WWII, 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.
Unfortunately, this marker has been lost.