The deep blue waters of Lake Huron have seen the passage of Native American, French explorers, missionaries and fur traders. As early as 1000 A.D., Native Americans were summering on Mackinac Island and nearby Bois Blanc Island. They planted corn, came to fish, worship and bury their dead.
It is said that the Native Americans named the island Mishinnimakong which meant land of the great fault because of a large crack visible from the water. The first recorded European to pass by the island was French explorer Jean Nicolet in 1634. He had been searching for a water route to China.
The Great Lakes are the world’s largest body of fresh water, and the Mackinac area became a vital link to explorers, missionaries, and fur traders in the great chain of forts, missions, trading posts, and settlements. Possession of the Straits helped the French to cement alliances with the Ottawa and Ojibwa Indians and to keep the British, their imperial rivals, at bay.
However, Fort Michilimackinac came into British hands in 1761 following the French defeat at Quebec. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 awarded the island to the United States. Limestone deposits provided the raw material for Fort Mackinac. Merchants and traders built a new town around the harbor.
In 1875 the island became the second U.S. national park after Yellowstone. It was turned over to the government of the state of Michigan in 1895. More than 80% of the Island’s 2,200 acres now constitutes Michigan’s first state park.
Steamboats began to bring visitors to enjoy the moderate climate, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities of the island. Cottages were built from Michigan white pine that had as many as 30 rooms. Covered front porches had white wicker furniture. Some had stables, servant quarters, and swimming pools. The Island is a 30-minute ride by ferry from Mackinac City, or St. Ignace on the mainland.
Motorized vehicles were banned in 1896 so visitors walk, ride bicycles or use horse-drawn carriages. Wildflowers flourish in the thick forests including paintbrush, wild rose, trillium and columbine. The boscage of trees invites the visitor to listen to the Island birdsong, the sound of waves lapping the shoreline, or to enjoy the relaxation.
In early June is the Lilac Festival which lasts for 10 days celebrating the Island’s lilacs that are in profusion at that time. In July the free concerts begin at Marquette Park. August brings the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival with family fun, demonstrations, outdoor movies and concerts.
The jewel of the island is the Grand Hotel. Victorian hospitality began in 1887.On its wide veranda porch visitors can sit, rocking away, and see the beautiful landscape. Red geraniums are everywhere and are the logo of the hotel. Their grand luncheon buffet is open to the pubic daily.
There are 1,600 rooms available on the Island and some are modest with shared bathrooms and others are lavish. The Hotel Iroquois, Inn on Mackinac, Island House Hotel, the Market Street Inn, and the Windermere Hotel, are some of those accommodations. We stayed at the Windermere for our first wedding anniversary.
Starbucks has come to the Island as well as Doud’s Market, the Boxwood Coffeeshop, ice cream parlors, the Island Slice Pizzeria and many fudge shops. The Lucky Bean is on Market Street. If you are planning a Summer respite, think of this historic and charming island. It will be a step back in time in many ways and will give you memorable moments of pleasure and relaxation.