The Allan M. Williams Collection includes much material dealing with Williams' professional interests and concerns. There are papers relating to the American Road Builders' Association and Michigan organizations, including articles and speeches written by Williams. In addition, there are materials relating to his unsuccessful primary campaigns for State Road Commissioner in 1941 and 1943 and for State Senator in 1962. Finally, materials relating to the Ionia County Free Fair are quite rich, including correspondence, financial information, and publicity dealing with far range planning and the day-to-day operations of the Ionia County Free Fair and its governing board.
The collections has been arranged into the following series: Biographical/Personal; Ionia County Free Fair; Speeches and writings; American Road Builders' Association; Other Organizations; Projects and related; Political file; Community projects; Photographs.
Allan M. Williams was born, in 1892, and raised in Ludington, Michigan. Graduating from Ludington High School in 1912, he entered Kalamazoo College, and then transferred to the College of Engineering of the University of Michigan after his freshman year. In 1918 Williams joined the Michigan State Highway Department as project engineer, where the following year he drafted the state's first complete highway map. He became engineer-manager of the Ionia County Road Commission in 1919, while continuing to serve as project engineer for the state until 1927. Williams held his position with Ionia County until his retirement in 1957.
As engineer-manager of the Ionia County Road Commission, Williams placed in 1929 the first roadside picnic table - constructed from planks salvaged from old guard rails - in Michigan and perhaps the United States. The table was placed in Boston Township on US 16 and soon proved popular with motorists. It came to the attention of the Michigan State Highway Department, which ordered additional picnic tables from the Ionia County Road Commission to be placed throughout the state. Williams also developed Green View Point. Located on M-21, it was the first trunkline scenic turnout.
In addition to his professional activities, Williams served Ionia County by helping to establish the Ionia County Memorial Hospital. Williams was also active in the Ionia Free Fair Association sitting on the fair board in various capacities from 1938-1964. He was president of the association for twelve terms.
Allan M. Williams, esteemed by members of his profession, was elected president of the Southern Michigan Road Commissioner's Association in 1953. He also served as president of the American Road Builders' Association, county and local roads division in 1955 and 1956. In 1940 Williams won a first place award from Better Roads Magazine for excellence in county road management.
