Why Marquette & Other Michigan Cities Have ‘Do Not Spit On The Sidewalk’ Signs

It isn't common today, but before the 20th century, it was a far more pressing issue. Spitting in public is a public issue that is bound more by public and societal norms than existing legislation. That isn't to say there aren't still cities where this is illegal (we'll get to those), but it isn't enforced like it used to be.

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However, there are still remnants of these laws in some cities, if you know where to look. In places like Marquette and Munising, the place to look is at the scene of the crime - the sidewalk itself, where the slabs of concrete to this day beg you to put your spit elsewhere. Here is the story behind Michigan's "do not spit on sidewalk" signs built into the sidewalks.

"Do Not Spit On Sidewalk" Signs

According to the Marquette Regional History Center, there were two reasons these signs were embedded directly in the sidewalks, both of which concerned chewing tobacco.

Health Concerns: Tuberculosis

The primary reason spitting on sidewalks was frowned upon actually stemmed from health concerns related to tuberculosis and chewing tobacco. Chewing tobacco used to be far more common a century ago, and tobacco chewers would spit their tobacco onto the sidewalk.

People unknowingly infected with tuberculosis, a highly contagious infection that attacks the lungs, would spread the infection through their spit, and anyone who stepped in it would become exposed and potentially trace it back to their homes.

READ MORE: A Michigan Man Spent 38 Years Building a House Out of Bottles

Women's Dresses

While not as pressing as curbing a deadly infection, the other reason for these signs was to help women keep their dresses clean. Women's dresses were long, and it was difficult to dodge the chew on the ground, forcing them to wash frequently to rinse out someone's spit. Encouraging spitting to the side saved many women the hassle of cleaning up.

Not Just Marquette or Michigan

This was not an idea exclusive to Michigan, but rather one popularized by Dr. Samuel Crumbine in Kansas. He was responsible for many positive public health changes, but is best remembered for the "don't spit on sidewalk" bricks he installed around the city.

Around Michigan, there are still plenty of cities like Kalamazoo and Battle Creek that have anti-public spitting laws in the books, though they are rarely, if ever, enforced. See here a photo of a metal "Do Not Spit On The Sidewalk" plaque in Munising.

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These sidewalk markers are a unique piece of history that are slowly fading as sidewalks are replaced, but they are still a rule of thumb that is important today. Minor or manners, and spit to the side.