Anyone know where Bushnell's road is?

[John A. Weeks III]

Many years ago, I remember a story in the news about a guy who
was single handedly building a highway between Duluth and Fargo
because the existing roads went more than 75 miles out of the
way. I tracked down the story to Charles Kuralt. The guy
was Gordon Bushnell. He died in the early 1980s. He actually
built 13 miles of road during the final 25 years of his life.

Does anyone happen to know where this road is, and what became
of it? The only clue I have is a newspaper story that says
that it was between and roughly parallel to US-2 and MN-210
north of Wright, MN.

-john-

[Froggie]

Post by John A. Weeks III
Many years ago, I remember a story in the news about a guy who
was single handedly building a highway between Duluth and Fargo
because the existing roads went more than 75 miles out of the
way.  I tracked down the story to Charles Kuralt.  The guy
was Gordon Bushnell.  He died in the early 1980s.  He actually
built 13 miles of road during the final 25 years of his life.
Does anyone happen to know where this road is, and what became
of it?  The only clue I have is a newspaper story that says
that it was between and roughly parallel to US-2 and MN-210
north of Wright, MN.

The only reference to such a proposed road I'm aware of may or may not
be related to this Gordon Bushnell. From 1957 to 1972, then-MHD
proposed a cross-state highway, named "Highway D", between Duluth and
Moorhead. I found a reference to it in the library at the Minnesota
History Center, but that was several years ago and I lost the
photocopy I made of the map to Hurricane Katrina. You might still be
able to find it at the library...the box it's in is referenced on page
6 of this PDF:

http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/hghwy007.pdf

As for the road this guy built, one possibility is an east-west dirt
road west of Floodwood that is now a state forest road, extends to
Aitkin CR 65, and is apparently popular with bird-watchers.

Froggie | Minneapolis, MN native | http://www.ajfroggie.com/roads/

[Master_Shake]

Post by Froggie

Post by John A. Weeks III
Many years ago, I remember a story in the news about a guy who
was single handedly building a highway between Duluth and Fargo
because the existing roads went more than 75 miles out of the
way.  I tracked down the story to Charles Kuralt.  The guy
was Gordon Bushnell.  He died in the early 1980s.  He actually
built 13 miles of road during the final 25 years of his life.
Does anyone happen to know where this road is, and what became
of it?  The only clue I have is a newspaper story that says
that it was between and roughly parallel to US-2 and MN-210
north of Wright, MN.

The only reference to such a proposed road I'm aware of may or may not
be related to this Gordon Bushnell.  From 1957 to 1972, then-MHD
proposed a cross-state highway, named "Highway D", between Duluth and
Moorhead.  I found a reference to it in the library at the Minnesota
History Center, but that was several years ago and I lost the
photocopy I made of the map to Hurricane Katrina.  You might still be
able to find it at the library...the box it's in is referenced on page
http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/hghwy007.pdf
As for the road this guy built, one possibility is an east-west dirt
road west of Floodwood that is now a state forest road, extends to
Aitkin CR 65, and is apparently popular with bird-watchers.
Froggie  |  Minneapolis, MN native  |  http://www.ajfroggie.com/roads/

I think I've seen this same story on an ep of Real People back in the
late 70's.

[richard]

Post by John A. Weeks III
Many years ago, I remember a story in the news about a guy who
was single handedly building a highway between Duluth and Fargo
because the existing roads went more than 75 miles out of the
way. I tracked down the story to Charles Kuralt. The guy
was Gordon Bushnell. He died in the early 1980s. He actually
built 13 miles of road during the final 25 years of his life.
Does anyone happen to know where this road is, and what became
of it? The only clue I have is a newspaper story that says
that it was between and roughly parallel to US-2 and MN-210
north of Wright, MN.
-john-

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=19790818&id=SLUvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=edwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3729,10139596

The article in the old ludington news says the same thing. Since the powers
that be said no to the idea, the road probably just became part of the, uh,
"woodwork" and forgotton once Mr. Bushnell died.

[t***@gmail.com]

Post by John A. Weeks III
Many years ago, I remember a story in the news about a guy who
was single handedly building a highway between Duluth and Fargo
because the existing roads went more than 75 miles out of the
way. I tracked down the story to Charles Kuralt. The guy
was Gordon Bushnell. He died in the early 1980s. He actually
built 13 miles of road during the final 25 years of his life.
Does anyone happen to know where this road is, and what became
of it? The only clue I have is a newspaper story that says
that it was between and roughly parallel to US-2 and MN-210
north of Wright, MN.
-john-
--
======================================================================
Newave Communications                         http://www.johnweeks.com
======================================================================

not sure if you are still interested or found your answer but i can put your feet right on it if you are interested.

[richard]

Post by t***@gmail.com

Post by John A. Weeks III
Many years ago, I remember a story in the news about a guy who
was single handedly building a highway between Duluth and Fargo
because the existing roads went more than 75 miles out of the
way. I tracked down the story to Charles Kuralt. The guy
was Gordon Bushnell. He died in the early 1980s. He actually
built 13 miles of road during the final 25 years of his life.
Does anyone happen to know where this road is, and what became
of it? The only clue I have is a newspaper story that says
that it was between and roughly parallel to US-2 and MN-210
north of Wright, MN.
-john-
--
======================================================================
Newave Communications                         http://www.johnweeks.com
======================================================================

not sure if you are still interested or found your answer but i can put your feet right on it if you are interested.

Interesting that you replied to this ancient post and yet failed to note
exastly where the road is.
I'd be interested in knowing the location and just how it is the man
obrained the land to build the road on.
What parts of it sill exist and is it accesable?

[2***@gmail.com]

Post by John A. Weeks III
Many years ago, I remember a story in the news about a guy who
was single handedly building a highway between Duluth and Fargo
because the existing roads went more than 75 miles out of the
way. I tracked down the story to Charles Kuralt. The guy
was Gordon Bushnell. He died in the early 1980s. He actually
built 13 miles of road during the final 25 years of his life.
Does anyone happen to know where this road is, and what became
of it? The only clue I have is a newspaper story that says
that it was between and roughly parallel to US-2 and MN-210
north of Wright, MN.
-john-
--
======================================================================
Newave Communications                         http://www.johnweeks.com
======================================================================

just saw this post. i used to work with Gordon Bushnell's grandson. I have been on this "road", although it was close to 20 years ago. i am sure it is over grown by now because the family did not maintain it.It is/was just north of Tamarack, MN

[Chief Squatting Buffalo]

Post by 2***@gmail.com

Post by John A. Weeks III
Many years ago, I remember a story in the news about a guy who
was single handedly building a highway between Duluth and Fargo
because the existing roads went more than 75 miles out of the
way. I tracked down the story to Charles Kuralt. The guy
was Gordon Bushnell. He died in the early 1980s. He actually
built 13 miles of road during the final 25 years of his life.
Does anyone happen to know where this road is, and what became
of it? The only clue I have is a newspaper story that says
that it was between and roughly parallel to US-2 and MN-210
north of Wright, MN.
-john-
--
======================================================================
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
======================================================================

just saw this post. i used to work with Gordon Bushnell's grandson. I have
been on this "road", although it was close to 20 years ago. i am sure it
is over grown by now because the family did not maintain it.It is/was just
north of Tamarack, MN

I posted your post, verbatim, to the aaroads forum. Maybe one of the experts
will have some knowledge:

http://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=13889.0

[Chief Squatting Buffalo]

Here are some answers I got:

(SPUI)

From 1940:
http://reflections.mndigital.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16022coll2/id/30722

It was decided to call the group "The Cross-State Highway Association"
and membership cards will be issued at a later date. Memberships will be
sold at $1 to provide funds to carry on the work. The sole object of this
group of public spirited men is to have the state highway department take
over this designated route and build a state highway from Duluth to Fergus
Falls. This route will carry traffic through Pine River, Nimrod, Sebeka,
Perham and on to Fergus Falls. A number of maps of the route have been made
and may be secured from Arvid Lundin by anyone interested.

Bushnell was supposedly part of this association.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0AwhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UXMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4582%2C324393

There is in fact an Inter-County Highway D signed from MN 64 east through
Pine River and Emily to the county line. Bushnell's portion was farther
east, but I can't determine exactly where. The land he owned may have been
along the county line, see the parcels labeled Steven Bushnell and R.
Bushnell. A local with a day to waste might be able to find records of the
easements.

(froggie)

Assuming the "highway" is adjacent to the Bushnell's land (and there's three
of them showing up on that Haugen Township plat), the likely suspect would
be the equivalent of 490th St...1 mile north of Aitkin CSAH 32. Problem is,
as best as I can tell from aerial imagery, that "road" is only about 4 miles
long, while the AP article from 1979 says he had built about 9 miles. It
also mentioned that he had to travel along "dirt washboard roads, avoiding
potholes and sand pockets" in order to reach his highway.

The guess I made at the time of the MTR post, which I still think is the
more likely suspect, is this road west of Floodwood, though we can't rule
out "490th St" either

[Kendra Moras]

Post by Chief Squatting Buffalo
(SPUI)
http://reflections.mndigital.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16022coll2/id/30722
It was decided to call the group "The Cross-State Highway Association"
and membership cards will be issued at a later date. Memberships will be
sold at $1 to provide funds to carry on the work. The sole object of this
group of public spirited men is to have the state highway department take
over this designated route and build a state highway from Duluth to Fergus
Falls. This route will carry traffic through Pine River, Nimrod, Sebeka,
Perham and on to Fergus Falls. A number of maps of the route have been made
and may be secured from Arvid Lundin by anyone interested.
Bushnell was supposedly part of this association.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0AwhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UXMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4582%2C324393
There is in fact an Inter-County Highway D signed from MN 64 east through
Pine River and Emily to the county line. Bushnell's portion was farther
east, but I can't determine exactly where. The land he owned may have been
along the county line, see the parcels labeled Steven Bushnell and R.
Bushnell. A local with a day to waste might be able to find records of the
easements.
(froggie)
Assuming the "highway" is adjacent to the Bushnell's land (and there's three
of them showing up on that Haugen Township plat), the likely suspect would
be the equivalent of 490th St...1 mile north of Aitkin CSAH 32. Problem is,
as best as I can tell from aerial imagery, that "road" is only about 4 miles
long, while the AP article from 1979 says he had built about 9 miles. It
also mentioned that he had to travel along "dirt washboard roads, avoiding
potholes and sand pockets" in order to reach his highway.
The guess I made at the time of the MTR post, which I still think is the
more likely suspect, is this road west of Floodwood, though we can't rule
out "490th St" either

Is anyone still interested in this thread?

I'm Gordon's great granddaughter. Our family still owns his property in trust and I've been there throughout my life, although my Uncles and their kids spend more time up there than I get to, since I'm clear across the country these days.