Mackinac Island, Michigan

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Travel has always been a pastime for this writer, ever since I was a travel agent many years ago. This is why I’ve decided to pick certain destinations that I’ve visited over my 40-odd years of life and share with you my thoughts and impressions of those places. I will start off with places here in America first, then branch out to various historical aspects of our history and how it is tied to places you can visit and explore. After all, travel is all about exploring the journey, right? So, let’s get started with Mackinac Island, Michigan.

Mackinac Island, Michigan is one of the most hidden secrets of this country and the most beautiful. There is no place in America you can visit where you don’t see cars filled with tourists, well that’s not true, because Mackinac Island doesn’t allow vehicles and the only transportation you have on the island is horse-drawn carriages, bikes, or your feet. This was one of the things I loved about visiting Mackinac Island, the old-fashioned transport of the horse-drawn carriage to get where you want to go. Mackinac Island is currently on the National Historical Landmark registry due to its amazing historical significance in the region. I must correct myself here, the only vehicles allowed are first responder vehicles and service vehicles by the city, and snowmobiles during the winter. What’s great about the island is the state park preservation that allows the natural ecosystem to thrive on and around the island itself thereby preserving the natural wildlife.

The history of the island is unique. The name was created from the Ojibwe language of the Anishinaabe tribe of Native Americans which called it Mitchimakinak which means “Big Turtle.”  It was discovered by French Fur traders and subsequently home to soldiers stationed at Fort Mackinac.   Although the island was once a strong French Trading post, the British took control after the French and Indian War and Fort Mackinac was created in 1780. After the British took control, it was named Fort George and then after the American Revolution where it was used as a prison for Confederate sympathizers, the name was changed to Fort Holmes.

After the Civil War, the island somehow became a tourist destination for those who lived in and around the great lakes.  Hotels and restaurants were created to accommodate the tourists and Dr. John R. Bailey helped create the Mackinac National Park in 1875. By 1880 the railroad magnates built their summer cottages on the island, and residents-built souvenir shops to gain much-needed revenue from the new visitors. The Grand Hotel is one of the finest hotels in the region and still stands today.  What is wonderful to learn is that back in 1887 the cost of a room was between $3 and $5.00 per night. Where today the price is now between $384 and $623 per night, but still worth every penny in my book. You can still get afternoon tea on the porch and be expected to dress for dinner each night. This is not a sloppy-style hotel, you’d be allowed to go to dinner in jeans and a tee shirt, this is more eloquent than that. So if you don’t want to dress for dinner or tea, find another hotel to stay at because you’d definitely not fit in at the Grand Hotel for sure.

If you are a naturalist and enjoy nature walks, wildlife, and the environment in general this is the place for you, especially if you’re a photographer or an artist. The beauty found on the island is a gemstone for anyone with a keen eye for the lens of a camera, or canvas and paintbrush. When I visited, I saw many watercolorists and photographers around the island. Now that I’m painting, I’d love to go back with my art materials and just find a spot or two and set up that easel. It would be heaven for me. I must warn you though, there are plenty of bats on the island as there are tons of hidden caves for them to hide in during the day, so expect to see them at night if you go for a walk or just sit on the porch with a cup of tea or a drink while you relax from a day of exploring, they will come to visit you for sure.

So how do you get to the island to discover all the history and beauty of been speaking of so far, well, you can reach it by ferry, small aircraft, or private boat. During the tourist season over the summer months, visitors can rent horses, carriages, roller skates/blades, and bikes once they get to the hotel of their choice.  Once on the Island tourists can visit the local architecture which dates to the 1700 and 1800s all the way up to the early 1900s. You’ve also got the Agency House which was once the residence of the agent for the American Fur Company, now a fur trading museum.

 There is also a lighthouse located on Round Island located just south of Mackinac Island and run by the US Forest Service. Of course, the Grand Hotel is a Victorian-style hotel and if you’re an old movie buff check out the Movie called “Somewhere in Time” it was filmed at this hotel. Another great building would be Sainte Anne Catholic Church which has been around since 1695. The parish registry is a treasure trove of history listing the births, deaths, marriages, and baptisms of everyone on the island since 1695. If you’re a genealogy enthusiast, you’d love this church registry for sure. If you’re into Art like I am, you can’t miss the American Art annual show held on the island and visit the five art galleries on the island. Oh and you can miss the annual lilac spring festival either, you’ll not only be able to enjoy the beauty of the lilacs and other natural flora on the island but also capture the parade of horse-drawn vehicle events that have been recognized by the Library of Congress as a legacy event not to be missed.  If you’re into sailboats you don’t want to miss the Yacht Club Race from Chicago to Mackinac in July. If your company holds a conference each year, consider Mackinac Island as your next destination, your participants will thank you for the opportunity to attend and you’ll be turning people away for sure. Visit Mackinac Island for work or pleasure, either way, enjoy it you won't regret it. 

Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a Master's in Criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel, and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.