The state of Michigan is unique in the sense that it is the only state that is composed of two peninsulas, the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula. These peninsulas are surrounded primarily by four of the Great Lakes and a variety of islands.
One of the most well known islands, and a popular tourist destination is Mackinac Island. This island sits in Lake Huron at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac and covers a total of 4.35 square miles.
Like many historic places within the Great Lakes region, the island’s name is derived from Native American language. In this case, the name came from the Ojibwe language. Some of the first known inhabitants of the region were the Anishinaabe people and they referred to the island as being shaped like a turtle, so they named it Michilimackinac, or Big Turtle.
The Anishinaabe people valued the land on Mackinac Island for its natural resources and strategic location. They were, and still are, considered to be people of the water. Fishing in the Great Lakes as well as traveling hundreds of miles to carry out trade and battle in war. Mackinac Island has been a summer gathering place for the Anishinaabe tribe for centuries.
You will notice that there are many different spellings of the tribal names, when both researching and traveling within the Northern Michigan area. This is because the European settlers struggled to label and categorize the names that they heard from the Native inhabitants.
One spelling that you will see differ in particular is that of Mackinaw or Mackinac. They are both pronounced the same and are the same word. The British changed the spelling to Mackinaw in 1771 to reflect how the word sounded, but the “c” spelling also remained as it was originally.
French explorers set foot on Mackinac Island in 1634 and called the northern Great Lakes Region “New France”. Father Marquette, remember that name, a French-Canadian Jesuit priest and Catholic missionary moved to the island in 1669. He continued to explore and map the northern region of Michigan and Wisconsin. He left such an impression on the settlers they named parks, a river and a city after him.
The French built Fort Michilimackinac in 1715 on the shores of Lake Michigan in hopes of protecting the prosperous fur trade that was going on. It would remain profitable well into the 19th century and was a source of income that needed protecting.
The French and Indian War took place from 1754-1763 and resulted in the British gaining control of Fort Michilimackinac. The war resulted in the British gaining control of this fort.
The French encouraged the Chippewa (Ojibwe) Tribe to fight against the British. The Massacre of Michilimackinac took place on June 2nd, 1773 and involved tribe members playing a baaga’adowe, a game similar to lacrosse, just outside of the gates to the fort. This was used as a ploy for the Chippewa (Ojibwe) men to gain access to the fort when they were allowed to retrieve the ball when it went over the fort walls.
Following this massacre, the British moved Fort Michilimackinac to Mackinac Island’s highest bluff, where it remains today and named it Fort Mackinac. This fort was used to further defend the waterways which were a vital shipping channel and supply route.
In the years following the Revolutionary War, the British still lived at Fort Mackinac until 1796 when they were forced to leave by the decree of the Jay Treaty and the Americans took control.
Around the mid 1800’s the fur trade began to decline while another source of revenue began to increase, tourism. There was a big push from the railroad companies encouraging people to explore more rural areas and in doing so, they built 1,400 hotels. One of which being Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel that was built in 1887.
One pretty incredible fact about the Grand Hotel is that it was built in 93 days. The quick construction was due to the fact that rooms had been pre-booked for the upcoming summer months. The hotel was built under direction of Charles Caskey and his team of 600 laborers. The hotel at the initial time of its build included 4 floors and rooms for 600 guests.
Rates then for a hotel room ranged from $3.00 to $5.00 a night, much different from the rates that you would see if you were looking to stay here now.
1895 was the year in which the island's ownership was transferred from the federal government to the State of Michigan and became a state park, the second in the United States. More than 80% of the island is still considered to be a state park today. Most of the land has been left in its natural state where you can see beautiful geological formations, bluffs with incredible views and enjoy many trails for walking or biking.
The state park on the island is free to visit and is open year round.
In 1898 it was decided that automobiles would be banned from the island in hopes of maintaining the Victorian feel of the horse drawn carriages and bicycles as the main modes of transportation.
The prohibition of vehicles still stands today outside of emergency transportation including fire trucks, police and emergency medical services. Giving this destination quite a unique feel and vibe.
So now that you are intrigued with the history of this little island, you are wanting to plan your visit to see it for yourself, aren’t you?
As we are all well aware, this is an island so getting to it requires either taking a 7 minute charter flight from the mainland or the more popular option, taking the 16-18 minute ferry that leaves from either St. Ignace or Mackinaw City.
The most economically friendly option would be taking the ferry, costing $34 a person round trip when booking through Shepler’s. All of the ferry companies offer a range of parking options and are very easy to access.
The ferry companies run multiple trips throughout the day, so you can come and go at your leisure. During the peak season rides depart as often as every 15 minutes.
If you are visiting for a few nights or just a day, you are able to take everything that you will need on the ferry with you including any luggage or personal bikes that you plan to use while visiting,
Once you are on the island, if you are visiting for only the day, I would highly suggest taking a horse drawn carriage island tour through the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. These tours are run on a first come first serve basis, so if you are wanting to make the most out of your time on the island, I would suggest heading to their ticket counter as soon as you get off of the ferry.
You can find the ticket counter located across the street from the Star Line Dock #1 and tickets for the regular tour cost about $41 per adult. Along with a historical narration during the hour and 45 minute tour you will also stop and see the following spots on the island: Surrey Hill Museum, the Grand Hotel, Post Cemetery, Skull Cave, Arch Rock and the Governor's Residence.
After your tour you can either take another tour and visit Fort Mackinac or if you are toured out, you can take the beautiful walk back to Main Street for some shopping and lunch!
It wouldn’t be a trip to Mackinac Island without stopping for at least a cocktail at the infamous Pink Pony, their lunch is also pretty good! This spot is quite busy so be sure to put your name on the waiting list, and if you are feeling extra patient, sitting on their deck is well worth the wait.
The shopping on Main Street is just as you would expect. There are souvenir shops, a bookstore and 17 different fudge shops where you can sample the famous Mackinac Island fudge at each shop!
Talk about being a fudgie!
If you have the time, and you bring your bike with you or rent one on the island, you can bike around the islands perimeter. It is 8.2 miles in distance and will provide you with the best opportunity of seeing the vast majority of the island itself.
So whether you have the time for a day trip, or an extended weekend while you are visiting Northern Michigan, I truly believe that this unique island, steeped in history should absolutely make it onto your itinerary.
