Laurie and I spent some time on Mackinac Island recently for a getaway. Some interesting points about the island are there are no cars allowed on the island. This law was adapted in 1898. Besides that fact one has to wonder how the cars were originally present. There is no bridge to the island. So, this would mean even in that time any cars would need to be had been taken across by ferry. This was how we ventured to be on the island. Ferry boats schedule routine trips through the waters of Lake Huron. North of this island the Mackinac Bridge covers a long distance over the waters. I was told on windy days the bridge sways approximately fifteen feet.
Mackinac bridge
The island, to travel along the shoreline is around eight miles long. Over eighty percent of the island is state park. This became a park in 1875. This was before the island was handed over to the United States following the War of 1812. The Bristish built Fort Mackinac in 1780 during the timing of the fur trade.
In early history various native people lived on the island. One native legend tells of a giant turtle becoming the island. They called the island the Great Turtle. Mackinac is the Indian name for Great turtle. Europeans began to arrive in the seventeenth century for furs.
Today, over five-hundred horses are on the island. These horses pull various carriages and wagons all over the island areas. I watched very early prior to sunrise a freight boat bringing two food trucks into port. Immediately four forklifts unloaded to wagons ready to take the goods to wherever needed. Also, wagons would be viewed on the streets delivering packages. You could see many were from Amazon logo.
We toured the area including some of the park via carriages.
We visited and had lunch at the famous Grand Hotel. This building is very huge. This hotel opened in 1887. Many politicians and famous and wealthy people have been at this hotel. Movies were made on site too. One of the more recent movies was Somewhere in Time starting Christpher Reeves and Jane Seymore. (1980)
The streets are hosed down every night to help clean up horse fecal matter. Crews remove the bulk during the day.
From our third-floor balcony.
From our third-floor balcony. Notice the Fort Mackinac above the streets.
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