Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

INGIIAM COUNTY HISTORY

131

TIHE HOGSBACK.
F. L. A., MASON.
Extending across the State of Michigan is an "Esker," commonly known as "the hogsback," that has always been of great
interest to the scientific world. Geologists differ widely in their
theories concerning its formation, but all agree on one point, at
least, and that is that this "Esker" has been in existence since
the time of the glacial period and the ice receded from the section
of the northern continent, now known as Michigan. It crosses
the State diagonally, from the southeast to the northwest, and
though it disappears at intervals, it is easily traced for the entire
distance.
It varies in height from 60 to 150 feet, sometimes rising abruptly
and again having long sloping sides, making the width at the base
anywhere from 200 to 400 feet, and perhaps more in places. Its
apex in some places is only a few inches wide, while in others there
is a flat surface of some extent.
When the first white men came to Ingham county they found
a trail extending along the top of the "hogsback" which showed
evidence of long usage. The path was worn deep in the soil,
and where the "esker" has been undisturbed one can find traces
of it still. The top, and in places the sides, of the "hogsback"
were originally covered with trees, some of them of prodigious
size, and the whole formed one of the most striking landmarks in
southern Michigan.
When the "redmen" trod the summit of this ridge roads were
unknown, and had they given any though to the material concealed in this glacial deposit, it would have meant nothing to
them; it would not have entered their minds that it meant
wealth for future owners, besides good railroads and high ways
for the public, but could they today return to this "happy hunting ground" and see the destruction wrought in this landmark of
theirs, they would realize the force of the white man's brain and
brawn.
The early settlers were ignorant of the valuable material hidden in this glacial ridge, and for over thirty years after the first