© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Backroads and ghost towns: Okemos ‘mapster’ drives MI’s roads not taken

Ken Dunlap with one of his Michigan maps.
Katie Cook
/
WKAR
Ken Dunlap with one of his Michigan maps.

In 2011, Ken Dunlap of Okemos had an idea. He would set out to visit every city, town, village and hamlet in the state of Michigan.

Three years and two cars later, he had completed his mission… well, almost.

But he’s got nearly 1,500 photos- one from each Michigan town- to show for his travels.

He tells us about his trips, and where the idea for the whole thing came from.

Every WKAR News story you read is rooted in fact-based, local journalism, produced without commercial influence and available for free to everyone in mid-Michigan. No paywalls. Ever.

But this work doesn’t fund itself. With significant cuts to federal funding, public media is facing a critical moment. If you believe in journalism that serves the public interest, now is the time to act. Donate today.