In 1842 the state appropriated a small sum for opening a road between the two towns. It was expended under the supervision of Mr. Mullett of Detroit, but the benefits arising from it amounted to but little. As it was not used as a through route for travel, it soon grew up to brush in many places.

 In the spring of 1849 Ralph Fowler and O.B. Williams of Williamston went over the line of the present Grand River road and solicited subscriptions for opening the road west from Fowlerville. They obtained, in goods and money, subscriptions to the amount of $600 from townships lying along the line – Leroy, Wheatfield, Phelps, and Meridian.

 The two men then began the struggle against nature’s obstacles and the noisy opposition of those who were interested in the northern route already established.

 Bridges were built over the two Cedars and the steams west of the Meridian line. Mr. Williams then commenced at the Meridian line with three men and two yoke of oxen, while Mr. Fowler began at Fowlerville’s present location with the same amount of help. The brush was again cleared away and the wet and miry places cordouroyed. At the end of three weeks they met at Williamston.

 Then, in order to get the mail route changed from the Howell and Okemos road, the two men, along with Messrs, Seymour of Lansing, George Curtis of Fowlerville, and Hezekiah Gates of Howell established a stage line on the road between Howell and Lansing.

 It consisted of a lumber wagon drawn by a span of horses and made tri-weekly trips, or out one day and back the next. In addition, they let no man walk for want of money. The enterprise was continued one year.

 At that point they had accomplished their object the establishment of post offices in Fowlerville and Williamston and sold out.

 Fowler related that the line was not a profitable one, stating that he kept a man and team of horses on the road during the year, that he lost one horse valued at $125, owed the company $10 at settlement and came out the best of any one else in the company.

 In 1849 the Howell and Lansing Plank Road Company began laying planks over the same road and completed their work in 1852-53. Fowler helped with that project by purchasing stock to the amount of $1,000. He also furnished the plank to construct the road from Howell to Handy Township.

 From the time of the plank road can be dated the beginning of Handy’s prosperity. The village of Fowlerville was platted, David Lewis was appointed postmaster, and places of business sprang up on corners.