A morning at Fort Mackinac

The morning we went to Mackinac Island, we took the 8:30 Ferry instead of the later one that includes a closer view of the Mackinac Bridge.  We were so glad we did because when we got to the Fort Mackinac, we were there in time for a rifle demonstration and a guided walking tour of the Fort.  The walking tour is only offered once a day at 9:45 AM which we would have missed if we had waited for the 9:30 ferry.  We didn't know about the walking tour before we went, so it was a nice bonus for us.

Fort Mackinac is part of the Michigan State Historical Parks for which we had purchased the Heritage Pass, so we didn't have to pay another entry fee.  The Fort is located up a steep hill and then a set of stairs to the main entrance.  You can get a taxi to take you up if you need to, but you can make it up the hill if you take your time.

Fort Mackinac was built in 1780 so Fort Michilimackinac could move to a more secure location.  Since then, the Fort has been in the hands of the British and the Americans, been designated as a national park, and then a state park.

The Fort has the typical fort buildings and furnishings.  Most of the buildings have been rebuilt as things happened to them, like when the bakery caught fire and they lost a few buildings.  

Here are some pictures.

Some buildings around the parade grounds.

Inside the officers quarters

This building had multiple uses.

Another bath house for our trip!

The outer wall.

They had a library at the fort.

This was what we would call a duplex today.  Two apartments, mirror images.

Inside one side of the duplex.

Also from inside the duplex.

And more.

We enjoyed walking around the fort and reading and hearing stories about everyday life at the Fort as well as how it was used during the years it was in service as an active fort.  Today they keep it in reproduction status as a state park and have historical interpreters available to guide you through.

~ Cindy D.