I became interested in placing historical markers in 1988, the 150^th anniversary of the Potawatomi Trail of Death. As a teenager, I saw the Trail of Death portrayed in the Rochester Centennial pageant and parade in 1953.

I met George Godfrey in 1988 and we combined our efforts to mark the Potawatomi Trail of Death from Indiana to Kansas. Godfrey is a member of the Citizens Potawatomi Nation, which contains most of the Potawatomi who are descended from the Trail of Death. A few are members of the Pokagon Band in Michigan and northern Indiana, the Prairie Band in Kansas, Hannahville Band in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Gun Lake Band in Michigan, and Canadian Band. Their histories are on the Internet.

There are over 80 historical markers and 150 historic signs on this 660 mile Trail. The first one was erected in 1976, the Eagle Scout award project of my adopted son, Allen Willard.

For many years I worked with Scouts to get Trail of Death historical markers and signs erected every 15 to 20 miles on the 1838 campsites of the Potawatomi as they walked or rode horses and wagons from Indiana to Kansas September 5 to November 4, 1838. Boy Scouts erected over 30 Trail of Death historical markers. Girl Scouts erected two.

Using maps, I figured where historical markers needed to be. Then I called the local school and asked for the name of Boy Scout leader. Then I called the Scout leader and asked him to find out if any of his troop was interested in placing a Trail of Death marker for his Eagle award. They all responded and I worked directly with the Boy Scout to get permission to place the marker in a public place, such as a park or church yard.

A marker is in front of the Rochester courthouse (west side) on Main Street. There is an identical marker in front of the Fulton County Museum. The Trail of Death did not go by the museum but we put a historical marker there to preserve history and educate the public.

We have now accomplished marking all the Trail of Death campsites. In September 2020 Boy Scout Colton Benninghoff, a junior at Winamac High School, earned his Eagle Award by erecting a marker for Mas-saw, a Potawatomi Chieftess who lived at Lake Bruce and went west on the Trail of Death.

This is likely the last historical marker I will be working with. I am 84 years old and feel that this project is done. I am very proud of the boys and girls who worked with me getting these historical markers done.

Most of the Trail of Death markers are metal plaques attached to huge boulders. The one at Lake Bruce is especially big, possibly the biggest boulder of all on the Trail of Death. The boulder was donated by Bill Mink. A year ago I asked around and was advised to contact Mink for help in finding a Boy Scout and getting a boulder moved.

With over 80 markers and 150 historic highway signs, the Potawatomi Trail of Death is probably the best marked historic trail in the world. Can anyone find a historic trail that has more markers and signs?