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History of Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Journey back in time to Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Also known as(Fort Michilimackinac)
Explore the history, people, photographs, newspapers, postcards, and genealogy connected to Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA.
ABOUT THE PLACE
About Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is located on Lake Huron in the Straits of Mackinac, in Mackinac County, east of the Mackinac Bridge. From 1818 to 1882, the City was the county seat of the former Michilimackinac County, which was later organized into Mackinac County with St. Ignace as the county seat.
The City includes all of Mackinac Island except for the state owned property under the jurisdiction of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and Department of Natural Resources. The City Charter also originally included nearby Round Island which is unpopulated and now federally owned and part of Hiawatha National Forest. The City Charter was passed by the State of Michigan Legislature in 1899 which vacated the Township of Holmes and Village of Mackinac to incorporate the City of Mackinac Island.
The City includes all of Mackinac Island except for the state owned property under the jurisdiction of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and Department of Natural Resources. The City Charter also originally included nearby Round Island which is unpopulated and now federally owned and part of Hiawatha National Forest. The City Charter was passed by the State of Michigan Legislature in 1899 which vacated the Township of Holmes and Village of Mackinac to incorporate the City of Mackinac Island.
Sourcecityofmi.org
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VINTAGE MACKINAC ISLAND
Mackinac Island Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Postcard
 - Old Fort Michillimackinac, 1673-1781, Mackinaw City, Mich.){kind=small}
Old Fort Michillimackinac, 1673-1781, Mackinaw City, Mich.
Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Artwork
 - View of Fort and Town
Picturesque America: Or, the Land We Live In. A Delineation by Pen and Pencil of the Mountains, Rivers, Lakes... With Illustr. on Steel and Wood, by Eminent American Artists, Volume 1
William C. Bryant
Appleton, 1872
){kind=small}
View of Fort and Town
Picturesque America: Or, the Land We Live In. A Delineation by Pen and Pencil of the Mountains, Rivers, Lakes... With Illustr. on Steel and Wood, by Eminent American Artists, Volume 1
William C. Bryant
Appleton, 1872
Picturesque America: Or, the Land We Live In. A Delineation by Pen and Pencil of the Mountains, Rivers, Lakes... With Illustr. on Steel and Wood, by Eminent American Artists, Volume 1
William C. Bryant
Appleton, 1872
Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
Artwork
 - Arched Rock by Moonlight
Picturesque America: Or, the Land We Live In. A Delineation by Pen and Pencil of the Mountains, Rivers, Lakes... With Illustr. on Steel and Wood, by Eminent American Artists, Volume 1
William C. Bryant
Appleton, 1872
){kind=small}
Arched Rock by Moonlight
Picturesque America: Or, the Land We Live In. A Delineation by Pen and Pencil of the Mountains, Rivers, Lakes... With Illustr. on Steel and Wood, by Eminent American Artists, Volume 1
William C. Bryant
Appleton, 1872
Picturesque America: Or, the Land We Live In. A Delineation by Pen and Pencil of the Mountains, Rivers, Lakes... With Illustr. on Steel and Wood, by Eminent American Artists, Volume 1
William C. Bryant
Appleton, 1872
Genealogy gifts & optional resources
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Genealogy Gifts & Resources Related to MACKINAC ISLAND
MICHIGAN Humor Mug – Funny Coffee Cup for Donut Lovers & Winter Warriors
Embrace your Michigan pride with a touch of humor and a splash of local charm! This mug features the playful caption: "I'm from Michigan! That explains a lot about my love for donuts with weird names and wearing flip-flops in winter."
LOCAL HISTORY
Discover Mackinac Island: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Mackinac Island through the years.
1715 - The French built Fort Michilimackinac to re-establish a presence along the Straits of Mackinac
1761 - The French relinquished the fort, along with their territory in Canada, to the British in 1761 following their loss in the French and Indian War.
1763 - A group of Ojibwe killed most of the British inhabitants and held the fort for a year before the British retook it with the provision to offer more and better gifts to the native inhabitants of the area.
1781 - The British eventually deemed the wooden fort on the mainland too vulnerable to attack, and in 1781 they built Fort Mackinac, a limestone fort on nearby Mackinac Island.
1854 - Mackinac / Michilimackinac / Mackinaw
Mackinac, or Michilimackinac, commonly called Mackinaw, a post-village, capital of Michilimackinac co., Michigan, on an island of the same name, in Lake Huron, about 320 miles by water, N. N. W. from Detroit. Lat. 45° 54' N., Lon. 84° 30'. It is pleasantly situated around a small bay at the south eastern part of the island. The harbor is safe and deep enough for large vessels. Fort Mackinaw stands on a rocky height 150 feet above the village which it commands. Here is an agency for Indian affairs. The village contains a court house, 2 or 3 churches, and numerous stores. The trade of Mackinac in 1 851 was computed at $356,218. Large numbers of fish are exported from this place. Pop. in 1853, 1200. See Michilimackinac.
Michilimackinac, sometimes written Mackinac, a county of Michigan, in the E. part of the upper peninsula, borders on Lake Michigan and the traits of Mackinac, which separate it from the lower peninsula. The surface is uneven, and is timbered with pine and other trees....
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Michilimackinac, sometimes written Mackinac, a county of Michigan, in the E. part of the upper peninsula, borders on Lake Michigan and the traits of Mackinac, which separate it from the lower peninsula. The surface is uneven, and is timbered with pine and other trees....
1895 - Mackinac / Mackinaw Island
Mackinac (Mackinaw) Island, a post-village of Mackinac co., Mich., is on a small island at the N.W. extremity of Lake Huron, about 320 miles by water N.N.W. of Detroit. It has 1 or 2 churches, several hotels, and a safe harbor, and is a popular place of summer resort. Here is Fort Mackinaw, on a rocky hill, nearly 200 feet above the level of the lake. Pop. in 1890, 750.
1960 - The fort grounds were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
Here's a list of places to go and things to do when visiting Mackinac Island:
Explore the Island by Bicycle: Mackinac Island is famous for its ban on motorized vehicles, making bicycles the primary mode of transportation. Rent a bike and explore the island's scenic roads and bike trails. You can rent bikes at various shops near the ferry docks.
Visit Mackinac Island State Park: Covering over 80% of the island, this state park offers more than 70 miles of hiking and biking trails, along with breathtaking views of Lake Huron, limestone formations, and lush forests. Be sure to check out Arch Rock, a stunning natural limestone arch that's a must-see.
Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: To get a comprehensive overview of the island's history and landmarks, hop on a narrated horse-drawn carriage tour. You'll learn about Mackinac's fascinating past and see notable spots like Fort Mackinac and Governor's Residence.
Fort Mackinac: This well-preserved military outpost offers a glimpse into the island's history during the American Revolution and the War of 1812....
Read more
Visit Mackinac Island State Park: Covering over 80% of the island, this state park offers more than 70 miles of hiking and biking trails, along with breathtaking views of Lake Huron, limestone formations, and lush forests. Be sure to check out Arch Rock, a stunning natural limestone arch that's a must-see.
Take a Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: To get a comprehensive overview of the island's history and landmarks, hop on a narrated horse-drawn carriage tour. You'll learn about Mackinac's fascinating past and see notable spots like Fort Mackinac and Governor's Residence.
Fort Mackinac: This well-preserved military outpost offers a glimpse into the island's history during the American Revolution and the War of 1812....
GENEALOGY IN MACKINAC ISLAND
Discover YOUR Roots: Mackinac Island Ancestry
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BIRTHS & DEATHS
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Mackinac Island, Michigan, USA
We currently have information about 39 ancestors who were born or died in Mackinac Island.
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Updated: 9/19/2023 7:25:24 AM
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