| Fort Mackinac on Mackinac
Island, Michigan was built by the British Army under the direction
of Patrick Sinclair during the American Revolutionary War. Located on a
bluff 150 feet above Mackinac Island Harbor, it replaced Fort
Michilimackinac which had wooden palisades and was located on the
shore of present day Mackinaw City. The Officers Stone Quarters, started
in 1780 at Fort Mackinac, is the oldest building in the State of Michigan.
Fort Mackinac was turned over to the United States in
1796. But the fort and control of the Straits of Mackinac were recaptured
without a battle during the War of 1812. British forces in Canada learned
of the start of the war before the Americans and surprised the garrison
with a much superior force of soldiers, European civilians and Native Americans
on July 17, 1812. American forces attempted to recover the fort in 1814,
but were defeated and also lost two sailing vessels used to blockade the
harbor. Following the end of the war, Fort Mackinac was returned to the
United States.
During the years of American western expansion, Fort Mackinac
was periodically abandoned when soldiers were withdrawn to support other
wars. Fort Mackinac was abandoned during much of the Civil War, but during
the summer of 1862 the fort served as a prison for three wealthy Confederate
sympathizers.
West Blockhouse (1798)
Mackinac National Park was established in 1875
as America's second national park, just three years after the establishment
of Yellowstone National Park. There was no National Park service at that
time, so the Fort Mackinac garrison was expanded and the fort's
commanding officer served as the park superintendent.
Fort Mackinac was abandoned once more in 1895 and Mackinac
National Park was transferred to the state of Michigan, becoming Michigan's
first state park. The park was placed under the control of the Mackinac
Island State Park Commission, which leased out the buildings as summer
cottages for the next 60 years in order to generate revenue to maintain
the park.
In 1914, a portion of the Stone Quarters was set aside
as a museum. During the 1930s a number of buildings were restored. In 1958,
a revenue bond program generated funds for preservation purposes and Fort
Mackinac became a major historical attraction.
Admission to Fort Mackinac is $13 for age 13 and older
and $7.50 for age 5-12, with an additional $9 fee for the Treetop Discovery
Tour. You can save $1 on adult admission and $.50 on children's admission
if you purchase them online.
Photos of Fort Mackinac
by a tourist in 1918 |
Fort Mackinac in Winter
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island in
Winter
Stuart House City Museum
Mackinac Art Museum
Mackinac Island Carriage Tour
More Mackinac Island Photos
Colonial Fort Michilimackinac
Winter at Colonial
Michilimackinac
Lilac Festival Parade
Round Island Lighthouse |
