Mackinac Island State Park is a state park located on Mackinac Island in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is an island in Lake Huron, near the Straits of Mackinac. The park covers 1,800 acres, which is about 80% of the island's total area. The park is part of the city of Mackinac Island and includes areas where people live permanently. A road called M-185 runs around the park’s edge. This is the only highway in the state without cars because the island does not allow automobiles. The park is managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. On July 15, 2009, the park reached 20 million visitors.

The park was first created as Mackinac National Park in 1875. This was the second national park in the United States, after Yellowstone National Park. In 1895, the park was moved under state control and renamed Mackinac Island State Park. This became the first state park in Michigan. The park includes many important historical and natural features, such as Fort Mackinac, Fort Holmes, historic buildings, historic sites, limestone caves, and unique rock formations. The park also operates the Mackinac Island Airport. These sites are managed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, which also oversees two other parks near the Straits of Mackinac: Colonial Michilimackinac and Dousman’s Mill (formerly Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park).

War of 1812

Mackinac Island was important during the War of 1812 between the United States and Canada, which was then a British colony. Fort Mackinac, located on the island, was built by the British army during the Revolutionary War. In 1796, the British gave up the fort to the United States but later built and kept a similar fort on nearby St. Joseph Island. The United States and Britain used their forts on these islands to fight for control of the northern part of Lake Huron. At the start of the War of 1812, the British captured Fort Mackinac and held it as a British stronghold until the war ended. In 1814, American forces tried to take back the fort but failed in the Battle of Mackinac Island. After the War of 1812 ended with the Treaty of Ghent in 1815, Mackinac Island was returned to American control.

History

On March 3, 1875, Congress created Mackinac National Park as the second national park in the United States, following Yellowstone. Senator Thomas Ferry, who was born on Mackinac Island, introduced a bill to create the park after Yellowstone was designated a national park. He explained that the military base on the island could also help protect and care for the park, which helped gain support from other lawmakers. The park was managed by the United States Department of War.

In 1888, a plan to use revenue from leased land allowed the fort to build trails, improve roads, and construct an observation tower at Fort Holmes, the highest point on the island.

In 1890, the War Department closed the fort because it was no longer needed for military purposes. When the soldiers left, there were no people to care for the park. The department considered selling the park.

In September 1895, a grassroots campaign persuaded the U.S. government to give the park and fort to the State of Michigan. The state legislature created the Mackinac Island State Park Commission to manage the park and its buildings, making it the first state park in Michigan.

Historic areas

• Fort Mackinac: This location is a museum.
• Fort Holmes
• Mission Church: This location is a museum.
• Mission House
• American Fur Company Retail Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum: This location is a museum.
• Matthew Geary House
• Benjamin Blacksmith Shop: This location is a museum.
• Biddle House: This location is a museum.
• Governor's Mansion (Lawrence Andrew Young Cottage)
• Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum: This location was formerly known as the Indian Dormitory.
• McGulpin House: This location is a museum.

• Battlefield of 1814
• British Landing
• Cemeteries
• Lime Kiln
• Marquette Park
• Wawashkamo Golf Club

Caves and rock formations

• Arch Rock
• Gitchi Manitou
• Sugar Loaf
• Cave of the Woods
• Crack-in-the-Island
• Eagle Point Cave
• Skull Cave
• Friendship's Altar
• Sunset Rock (sometimes called Chimney Rock)
• Devil's Kitchen
• Robinson's Folly

Gallery

• Located on the eastern side of Mackinac Island, close to Mission Point.
• The primary biking path that circles the island, situated along the eastern shoreline.
• One of several beautiful beaches found on Mackinac Island.
• Large areas of forest are found in the central part of Mackinac Island.

Mackinac State Historic Parks

Mackinac State Historic Parks is a part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and is managed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. The parks include several areas, such as Mackinac Island State Park, Michilimackinac State Park, and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park in Mackinaw City.

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission is a group of seven people. These commissioners are chosen by the governor to serve six-year terms and must be approved by the Michigan Senate.

At first, the park was managed by a park superintendent who also led the fort. Since the military did not want to fund the park and the National Park Service was not created until 1916, the department agreed to a plan to generate money. This plan, proposed by a captain at the fort, allowed certain areas to be rented to people who built summer cottages, starting in 1885.

In 1895, the park was given to the State of Michigan to become the first state park. The state legislature then created the Mackinac Island State Park Commission to manage the park and its buildings.

• Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island Fort Mackinac Historic Downtown Mackinac, The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum
• Michilimackinac State Park, Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
• Dousman's Mill (previously known as Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, Historic Mill Creek State Park, and Old Mill Creek State Historic Park), in Mackinaw City