The fictional towns of Goblu and Beatosu, Ohio

Submitted by gwkrlghl on

I was reading an article on listverse this morning title "10 Monumental Map Blunders and Lies" and was surprised see a very (University of) Michigan centric story at #5:

Peter Fletcher was the former chairman of the Michigan State Highway Commission as well as a die-hard University of Michigan devotee. He included the nonexistent towns of Beatosu and Goblu, Ohio on a 1978 road map for the sole purpose of mocking Ohio State fans: Beatosu, of course, stood for “Beat OSU,” and Goblu really meant “Go Blue.”

Rabid Ohio fans wouldn’t tolerate such an injustice and demanded the Governor fix the maps. Even some Michigan residents complained that the incident was a waste of tax money. Ironically, the philanthropic Fletcher never collected his annual $60,000 salary as chairman, an amount that more than compensated for the ink used on the maps. New maps, without the offending town of Beatosu and Goblu, were reprinted later that year.

A quick google search found an interview with Mr. Fletcher himself on Michigan's DNR website:

Mr. Fletcher told me the story behind this infamous map. He explained that a fellow University of Michigan alumnus had been teasing him about the Mackinac Bridge colors. According to Fletcher, this man wondered how Fletcher, as State Highway Commission Chairman, could allow the Bridge to be painted green and white. Those were the colors of Michigan State University! Mr. Fletcher noted that the bridge colors were in compliance with federal highway regulations, so he had no choice in that matter. He did, however, have more control over the state highway map. Mr. Fletcher said that he thus ordered a cartographer to insert the two fictitious towns. These towns displayed his loyalty to his alma mater.

creelymonk10

April 18th, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^

No way man, have to take the I-80/90 route. It's safer, no cops, and it's a whole 2 minutes faster!

But really, I used to take OH-2 until there were so many accidents and head-on collisions, especially dangerous driving home at night after a long, tiring day.

GoBluePhil

April 18th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^

As a State Trooper, the post I worked at received a batch of the maps to give out to the pubic. When it was reported about the fictitious towns I kept a few for my scrapbook. I loved every second of the OSU whining.