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Selling the Old Red Trail

Andrew Keller
9/1/2009

In July, the old U.S. Highway 10 was designated as North Dakota`s tenth "scenic byway."

With this designation, communities along the path went to work to compete with the interstate and attract drivers.

Here is your choice: Join the rush and make the trip between Dickinson and Mandan at 75 miles per hour with everything at a blur, or, make it a trip as you enjoy the small towns, scenery, and history of North Dakota at a relaxed pace.

"You take the Old Red Old Ten, it`s just 108 miles, which is five miles longer than the interstate, you just have the chance to see things, if you want to stop by, and it`s just a slow-paced trip," says Silvia Vigur, of Old Red Trail Marketing.

The Old Red Old Ten scenic byway connects Dickinson to Mandan by way of a trail that has quite a bit of history. Back in the day, it was the Fort Keogh Military Trail, then became the route west.

"The Old Red Old Ten used to be pretty attractive to people, then Interstate 94 came, and people preferred to travel along the interstate rather than the old red old 10, so people became sad, not seeing people in their communities to shop, stop by, to say hi, to have a coffee, anything like that," says Vigur.

Communities like Taylor are promoting what North Dakota has to offer. This large Old Red Old Ten Trail sign is one indication. About 50 yards to the east, they promote their Good Ole` Taylor Days Tractor Journey.

"It`s a good way to get people into the smaller places," says Terri Thiel, of Dickinson CVB.

One way they`re trying to get people to travel the "other" freeway, the Old Red Trail, is by handing out free brochures at rest areas along the Interstate. These brochures say, `Why are you traveling on the Interstate? You`re on vacation right?` It`s more scenic to travel the Old Red Trail.

"It`s still there, people can take a drive off there, and actually see a little different scenery," says Thiel.

And enjoy a more relaxing and fulfilling trip.