Paths of the Mound-Building Indians and Great Game Animals: Echoes of Ancient Paths and Majestic Wildlife

Historic Highways of America #1

by Archer Butler Hulbert

"Paths of the Mound-Building Indians and Great Game Animals" by Archer Butler HulbertHulbert earned his fame as a historical geographer, writer, and professor of American history. He believed, through writing this book, that every road has a story and the burden of every story is a need. The greater the need, the better the road and the longer and more important the story. He goes back into American history and explains how the Native Americans were the very first road builders, even at a time without pavement or formal road laying.

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

Archer Butler Hulbert, FRGS was an historical geographer, writer, and professor of American history.

Reviews

[Brad Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll write a review since no one else has. Note that I read this in hard copy, borrowed from the University of California.

This short volume is about a fascinating topic - how buffalo and Indian trails/roads affected more modern transportation in America - but is significantly antiquated. Published around 1905, the analysis is based on what we now know to be wrongheaded notions about anthropology and archaeology. (And yes, at points this borders on what would be recognized today as racism.) Since I’m not an expert in those fields, it’s hard to judge the value of this work. One thing, at least, is of some value: there are notes about the locations of these roads. It’s a secondary source, but from a time when these roads and trails would’ve still been detectable on the landscape.

Since this volume is so short, I suppose it’s worth reading if you’re interested in the topic and/or what people knew about it in the early 20th century.