These are the Pros and Cons of Extending Michigan’s Border to the South

Here's something that will almost never, ever happen - a change in state borderlines. The process to do so is laid out on the US Constitution. The legislatures of the states involved as well as a vote of the federal congress is required. Indiana has approved a bill that will incorporate counties from Illinois into the state.

What about Michigan's borders if we're playing fast and loose with state lines?

Get our free mobile app

The thought exercise comes courtesy of Reddit. A commenter starts to wonder about Michigan City, a community in Indiana that is seemingly misnamed. (It's not, however, as it's named as the terminus of the Michigan Road a historic trace across Indiana from the Ohio River to Lake Michigan.)

Here's the fantasy proposal that nods to the historic Toledo War:

It's very silly that Michigan City is not within the bounds of the nations greatest lake state (Michigan), so we should go to war with Indiana until we can push the border back to the 42nd parallel, where the Ohio border is. This would put Michigan City within our territory, and give Michigan one huge straight line southern border.

MORE MICHIGAN BORDER LORE

• Everyone Says the Same Things about I-75 Entering Michigan
• 'Death Crossing' The Most Dangerous Spot on America's First Cross Country Highway Was at the Michigan State Line
• Optical Illusion Railroad Crossing Near Michigan Line Looks like a Train Collision is Immanent

The idea re-corrects the jog at the Indiana-Michigan-Ohio tripoint where Michigan's southernly boundary juts northward. This shuffle was done to give Indiana access to the Great Lakes.

What Michigan Could Gain or Lose By Shifting its Border South

What are the pros and cons for this concept to rewrite Michigan's southern border? Here's what those in the Reddit community had to say:

I was born in Michigan City and I moved to Michigan the state to get away from there. Don’t be bringing that hellhole back here.

Wouldn't that also put Notre Dame within the bounds of our state? I don't think I like this plan

I think we can avoid war and just let Indiana continue to buy boat loads of weed from our dispensaries. In return give us our named town.

👇🏼BELOW: These Short, Overlooked Michigan Highways Exist Only to Leave the State + Every Amtrak Station in Michigan👇🏼

What may be most interesting about this concept - and the one bit that is not up for debate - no one seems to truly know exactly where the Michigan/Indiana border is truly supposed to run. The survey was somewhat sloppy and the two states have very quietly contemplated looking at adjusting the line over the years.