Mackinac Island - a popular resort today but a fur trading post in the last century.

Father Jacques Marquette came from France in 1666. The 29 year old priest was sent to the Mission in northern Michigan. He ministered to the Ojibway and Huron Indians on Saint Esprit. Marquette and the Hurons moved to Straits of Mackinac in 1671. Two years later, with Louis Jolliet, they charted the Mississippi and opened the upper Mid-West for settlement. He died in 1675. Whilst Marquette’s stay in these Straits was brief, he firmly established the Roman Catholic Church. The mission remained on St Ignace until 1707. Then onto south side of the Straits and again elsewhere until in 1780, the Church of St Anne was finally moved to Mackinac Island.

British Commander Patrick Sinclair moved his fort from the mainland (modern day Mackinac City) to the island in 1780 during the American Revolution, he chose the island because its high limestone bluff would protect his soldiers from American attack.

In 1781, the British  made it the centre of their military and fur trading activity. The Americans finally occupied the island in 1796. You may be surprised to know that the Island was held by the British during the War of 1812 and it was the hub of the Astor's fur empire after 1817. 

Fort Mackinac remained an active military post until 1895. Soldiers abandoned Fort Mackinac in 1895. Four years later, the old garden was dedicated as a park honouring Father Jacques Marquette. On 01 Sept 1909, the State Park unveiled a bronze statue of the priest which still stands in the park.

In 1898, five sailboats sailed up Lake Michigan from Chicago to Mackinac Island. This inaugurated the now annual race, said to be the longest fresh water race in the world.  Port Huron to Mackinac race on Lake Huron began in 1924 and is yet another challenging event for racers.

Every July, these two races end at Mackinac Island. Each race has more than 300 graceful sailboats which have successfully completed the Great Lakes course. Mackinac Harbour gets really busy with ferries, these racing yachts, commercial carriers, pleasure boats, canoes, kayaks and other forms of water transport.

Scenes of the island as you approach it from mainland. 

Ferry boats first brought tourists in the late 1800’s. Trains arrived in Mackinaw city and St Ignace where waiting ferries shuttled them to the island. These early wood hulled boats burned coal and made only a few trips daily as it took upto an hour to cross the Straits of Mackinac. Today three companies provide ferry services. Arnold Transit Line began in 1878. Shepler came on board 1945 and Star line in 1978. Now these ferries make dozens of trips daily.

While the fort no longer defends the Straits of Mackinac, its exciting exhibits and interpretive programmes capture its history. All the buildings remain in their original state. These were constructed by soldiers who lived n worked in situ. The Officers Quarters were built more than 250 years ago and is one of Michigan’s oldest buildings.

Buggy and coach rides are very popular with tourists This could be any old town in a Western!

A very popular industry catering to locals and tourists is making of fudge with various additions like pecans, walnuts, almonds, mint, and other items.

                                                        When the Fort was occupied, soldiers planted in the open spaces, vegetables such as leek, cabbage, carrots, squash etc. to supplement their daily diet of meat and bread.  Fences around the garden protected their crops from cattle and children. Today, these soldiers  take visitors around the various buildings explaining their uses; the housing quarters are always a great draw.                                                                    Every day, the cannon is fired with due ceremony. its a popular sight with crowds gathering in the square.

A view from atop the hill

A really commanding presence on the waterfront.

So, if you are in that area, go across for a day trip to the Island. You will see a part of American history. 


Note - historical details on the Island's past (given above) are courtesy of the Tourist Board of the Island.






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