Mackinac Island

Music to accompany this page:
Variations on a Theme by Paganini, by Sergey Rachmaninoff

Mackinac Island, located off the northern peninsula of Michigan, was discovered in 1634 by Jean Nicolet, a French-Canadian explorer. By the end of the century, the island become the leading French fur trading site. After the French and Indian War, the English built Fort Mackinac, which was later turned over to the Americans, through treaty, following the American Revolution. In July of 1812, the British attacked the fort, after gaining entry to the island from the north. They would retain possession of the fort until 1815, when again it would be turned over to the American's through a treaty. They island prospered as a fur center and fishing industry. The cooler summer climates beckoned visitors, and soon the island became a known as one of the most favored summer resorts.

Carriage tours are the favored method of seeing the island, since motor vehicles are prohibited on Mackinac Island. This came about in an ordinance that was adopted in 1898, after cars first appeared. The ordinance was proposed to the village council, by a group of carriage drivers, whose livelihood was dependent on taking visitors on tours of the island and transporting them from the ferry boats to their accommodations. In 1935, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, which owns over 80% of the island, passed a similar ordinance, which only allows access to only a few public utility vehicles. On one occasion, this ban was lifted, during the filming of  the motion picture, Somewhere in Time.

Arch Rock is one of many natural rock formations on Mackinac Island. The island received it's name from aboriginal natives that explored the limestone bluffs and caves. They thought that it resembled a large reptile, and thus called it mish-la-mack-in-naw or big turtle. Arch Rock stands over a hundred feet high on the Lake Huron side of the island. Indian legend says that the Arch was formed when a beautiful Indian maiden's tears washed away the limestone bluff as she waited in vain for her lover to return. Scout troops from across the country are welcomed to stay on the island for week-long visits during the summertime, to partake in the natural wonders of Mackinac Islands Parks. In the late 1800's, Mackinac Island became the site of Michigan's first state park. To ensure the preservation of the limestone formations on Mackinac Island, the park commission has limited private development within park owned land and requires that all leased bluff cottages maintain a victorian style of architecture.

During the summer months, many of the visitors to the island arrive by sailing their own boats, and then docking in the marina. By daylight, the harbor is extremely busy, with private boats and ferrys coming and going consistently. At nighttime, it takes on an entirely different feel, as the boats settle for the evening and vessels provide a festival for the eyes with their lights shimmering on the water, creating a sense of tranquility. In July of each year, Mackinac Island hosts two yacht races. The races originate from Chicago and Port Huron, with Mackinac Island as the final destination.

Mackinac Island continued...

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