Mackinaw City, Michigan – August 2, 2008

This morning we went by ferry to Mackinac Island. Automobiles are not allowed. The only means of transportation is by walking, biking or horse. Even the police ride bikes. As soon as you get off the ferry there are many places where you can rent bicycles, and even horses.

Mackinac Island is the site of Fort Mackinac and had a flourishing fur trade in the 1820’s. The fur trade was replaced by commercial fishing in the 1830’s. Hotels and cottages were constructed to accommodate overnight visitors. In 1887 the huge and palatial Grand Hotel opened and established Mackinac Island as the most fashionable summer resort in the Great Lakes. After a downturn to tourism after the Great Depression, Mackinac Island again became a popular and busy summer resort after WW II.

We toured Fort Mackinac. Fort Mackinac was founded during the American Revolution, in 1780 by the British. Americans took control of it in 1796. In July 1812, in the first land engagement of the War of 1812 in the United States, the British captured the fort. It was returned to the U.S. after the war. The tour was very interesting. The buildings have been restored to how they looked in the final years of the fort’s occupation.

We stopped in the Blacksmith’s Shop, where a blacksmith demonstrates traditional blacksmithing techniques. Today there were several blacksmiths from across Michigan participating in crafting special projects.

The American Fur Company Store sold a variety of general merchandise. They sold everything, dishes to food to liquor to clothing to household necessities. It was interesting to find out that when you bought a pair of boots each was identical to the other, there was no right or left boot at that time. It was also interesting that while ready made mens clothing was just starting to be sold, there was only material and thread for women to make clothes.

We walked to the Grand Hotel and looked around their grounds. We also went inside. The Grand Hotel is indeed grand. As we left the grounds we saw a sign that said men must be in jacket and tie after 6 p.m. and women may not wear slacks after 6.

We visited with an older gentlemen sitting outside of his home. He told us there was around 400 year around residents of Mackinac Island. He is one of them and said winters there are very nice.