Mackinac Island

"The natural history of Mackinac Island has attracted visitors for hundreds of years. Unusual limestone formations, caves, scenic vista overlooking Lakes Huron and Michigan, natural forests of pine, cedar, spruce, maple and oak brightened by clumps of trillium, lady slippers, asters, and forget-me-nots are largely undisturbed by modernity. Mackinac’s first visitors, the Indians, found spiritual inspiration for their legends in its physical attractions. Many visitors agree with English writer Helen Martineau, who exclaimed in 1836 that the island was “the wildest and tenderest little piece of beauty that I have yet seen on God’s earth.”

Mackinac Island became a major summer resort by the middle 1800s. In 1875 most of the federal land on the island was designated as “Mackinac National Park.” This was America’s second national park, established just three years after Yellowstone. The park was cared for by army soldiers from Fort Mackinac. With the closure of the fort in 1895 the park was transferred to the state of Michigan, becoming “Mackinac Island State Park.” It was Michigan’s first state park, and, it is believed, the first state-operated park in the nation to be officially called a “state park.” A new agency, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, was created to administer the park. The Park Commission continues to administer the park today, which has grown to include over 80% of the island."

The island includes the historic downtown area with several historic buildings. Fort Mackinac and the natural beauty and scenery of the island.

One of the best things about Mackinac Island is there are no private motor vehicles allowed on the island. The get around the island one has to ride a bicycle, a horse, a horse drawn carriage or buggy or use the horse drawn taxi service. There are about 500 permanent residents on the island year round. In the winter time they are allowed to use their snow mobiles to get around as well as travel across the lake to the mainland.

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MAP of HISTORIC MACKINAC ISLAND and BIKE TRAILS

MACKINAC ISLAND









Historic Downtown, Buildings, Natural Formations, Scenery and other Historical sites:

BOUNDARY MARKER









DOWNTOWN









































BIDDLE HOUSE
Website: Biddle House











BENJAMIN BLACKSMITH SHOP
Website: Benjamin Blacksmith Shop









MCGULPIN HOUSE
Website: McGulpin House









AMERICAN FUR COMPANY STORE and DEDICATION TO WILLIAM BEAUMONT
Website: American Fur Company Store

















COMMUNITY HALL and CITY OFFICES, POLICE AND FIREMAN BIKE PARKING

























STUART HOUSE CITY MUSEUM









MICHIGAN GOVERNOR'S SUMMER RESIDENCE









THE INDIAN DORMITORY








MARKET STREET









ISLAND HOUSE


























LAKE VIEW HOTEL





































MICHILIMACKINAC COUNTY COURTHOUSE




















BRITISH LANDING

















NICOLET WATCH TOWER











FATHER JACQUES MARQUETTE




















MISSIONARY BARK CHAPEL

















MISSION CHURCH












SAINT ANNE CHURCH













TRINITY CHURCH













THE CLIFFS OF MACKINAC








THE ICE BRIDGE









DWIGHTWOOD SPRINGS









DEVIL'S KITCHEN























ARCH ROCK


























LAKE SHORE NATURE TRAIL








































SCENERY