Since I grew up in North Idaho along the Milwaukee Road the trails are near and dear to me. I do know the history. Court Sims of the US Forest Service worked with Milwest in the early stages of the trail in getting the Historical Aspects of the "Route of the Hiawatha Trail", correct especially with signage. I was a longtime member of Milwest. My remark about the name change in Washington was pointed at those in charge who decided to use a generic name for the trail rather than a historically accurate name for the trail. I believe they felt they would attract more individuals with the new name rather than something based on the Milwaukee Road legacy. Either way the new name is better than the John Wayne trail.



> A section of the former Milwaukee Road Pacific
> Extension in Idaho is now the Route of the
> Hiawatha Trail in Idaho. Along the 15-mile trail
> are 47 plaques about the Milwaukee Road and other
> historic features of the area through which the
> trail passes. The official trail website has a
> history section. See:
>
> Route of the Hiawatha Trail
>
> Stanley Johnson's book, The Milwaukee Road in
> Idaho functions as a trail guide and is chock full
> of information about the Milwaukee Road.
>
> There are many Americans not sufficiently
> knowledgeable or interested in history However.
> you are well off the mark to cite the name change
> for the trail in Washington as evidence that most
> people are not interested in history when
> promotion of Route of the Hiawatha Trail's
> historic elements is strong evidence to the
> contrary.