A Trip to Mackinac A Trip to Mackinac IslandIsland

By Sarah JohnsonBy Sarah Johnson

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Pick Your Route!Pick Your Route!

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ResourcesAuthor Page

Fort MackinacFort Mackinac• Fort Mackinac is located on the Southern Bluff of Mackinac Island.Fort Mackinac is located on the Southern Bluff of Mackinac Island.• It towers 150 feet above the Mackinac Straits.It towers 150 feet above the Mackinac Straits.• It is Michigan’s only Revolutionary War era fort.It is Michigan’s only Revolutionary War era fort.• It was constructed by British soldiers during the American Revolution.It was constructed by British soldiers during the American Revolution.• The British did not relinquish Fort Mackinac to Americans until 15 years after The British did not relinquish Fort Mackinac to Americans until 15 years after

American independence.American independence.• In 1895, the fort was closed and is currently in use as a historic museum where In 1895, the fort was closed and is currently in use as a historic museum where

many reenactments take place.many reenactments take place.

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The Grand HotelThe Grand Hotel

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•Construction began in 1886 and the completion of the Grand Hotel was in 1887.

• In the 1890’s, the front porch was considered the longest porch in the world.

• The porch became the principal meeting place on the island.

•The porch is dubbed “Flirtation Walk” for elderly and romantic couples.

• There have been two movies filmed at the Grand Hotel: This Time for Keeps (1946) and Somewhere in Time (1980).

• Air-conditioning wasn’t added until 2007.

Saddle HorsesSaddle Horses

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* 600 horses call Mackinac Island home during the warm months.

•You can rent horses and take guided or unguided trails all over the island.

• The ban of automobiles caused the necessity for horses at the end of the 19th Century.

•There are only 30 draft horses that are left on the island during the winter months to provide taxi services and dray services to the community.

Breeds include Belgian, Clydesdale, Irish Hackney, Percheron, Standards and other combinations.

Carriage ToursCarriage Tours

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•Mackinac Island has the oldest and largest horse and buggy livery in the world.

•These horses consume over 1250 tons of hay, 370 tons of oats, and 250 tons of special feed supplements each season.

•Special horse shoes were developed specifically for these horses.

•These horse shoes are now used in Disneyworld and many other cities around the world.

•They were developed by equine specialists on Mackinac Island.

Mackinac BridgeMackinac Bridge

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•In 1888, the board of directors of the Grand Hotel proposed a bridge to go across the Straits.

•After numerous attempts, construction finally began on May 7, 1954 and officially opened on Nov. 1, 1957.•Mackinac Bridge cost

about $85 million to complete.

•The bridge is 5 miles long

•It is the world’s longest suspension bridge between cable anchorages.

* It was designed by the great engineer Dr. David B. Steinman.

History of the IslandHistory of the Island

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Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse- 1892

Arch Rock

•Aboriginal Natives originally named the island ‘Mish-la-mack-in-naw’ which means turtle. They believed it resembled its shape.

•In the 17th Century, it was an important French western Fur Trade site.

•In 1875, Mackinac Island was given protection for the natural resources it holds, and development stopped on the island.

*The island has been inhabited by the French and the British, and finally given to the American’s by a treaty after the American Revolution.

*The Island is made up of limestone, a precious natural resource.

*The island covers 3.8 sq. miles.

Old Mission ChurchOld Mission Church

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•Old Mission Church is the oldest surviving church building in Michigan.

•It represents the first Protestant work among Native Americans at Mackinac Island.

•The church was built between 1829 and 1830.

•It was originally lead by Reverend William Ferry and his wife Amanda.

•With many restorations, this church is not active, but considered a museum and public has access.

•Although, many weddings still to take place here.

Historic DowntownHistoric Downtown

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Historic Mackinac

•Mackinac Island has one of the oldest residences.

•There are at least five historic homes dating back to the 18th Century on Mackinac Island.

•From June through September, you can visit these homes and see reenactments of the people’s lives.

•Many houses were designed during the Victorian era

* To see more information, please view the following video below:

Author’s PageAuthor’s Page

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I hope you all enjoyed your tour of Mackinac Island!

My name is Sarah Johnson and I am currently a student at Grand Valley State University. I am studying Group Social Studies with an emphasis in History for Elementary Education. I personally love Mackinac Island and I think that it is a great experience for children of all ages to visit. The history of the island is very important and plays a part in our American History.

Feel free to contact me!

To send an email, click here

ResourcesResources http://www.mackinacisland.orghttp://www.mackinacisland.org http://www.mackinac.com/http://www.mackinac.com/ http://www.grandhotel.com/index.htmlhttp://www.grandhotel.com/index.html http://www.mackinacbridge.org/http://www.mackinacbridge.org/ http://www.photosonmackinac.com/http://www.photosonmackinac.com/ http://www.mackinacparks.comhttp://www.mackinacparks.com http://en.wikipedia.orghttp://en.wikipedia.org

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