Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Marine & Weather Reporter
Mackinaw City Historical Pathway
Mackinaw residents have long rendered services to passing ships. One of the most interesting was The Marine & Weather Reporting Service, established in 1877 by Forest J. Stimpson. Stimpson made daily reports on weather conditions at the Straits and would often make direct contact with the ships by small boat, carrying messages, mail and supplies. Messages about the ship's location at the Straits were forwarded to he owners — thus the Marine Reporting Service.
Stimpson's tenure as marine reporter ended when he drowned while performing his duties. For several years following his death, Stimpson's widow ran the station with the assistance of Charles T. Dagwell. Dagwell started his own station in 1898. In 1930, the Dagwell service passed to Elton Dagwell, who continued marine reporting until 1959 and weather reporting until his retirement in 1970.
The advance of telecommunications has made the Marine and Weather Reporting Service a thing of the past. Charles Dagwell's weather tower can still be seen near the Old Mackinaw Point lighthouse at Michilimackinac State Park. (Marker Number 25.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.
Location. 45° 47.151′ N, 84° 43.576′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. Marker is at the intersection of North Huron Avenue and East Depeyster Street, on the right when traveling north on North Huron Avenue. Marker is at the northwest corner of Maritime Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 412 North Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City MI 49701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Anchors and their retrieval / Capstan for pulling up the anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); Alexander Henry Park Kiosk (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alexander Henry 1739 - 1834 (about 500 feet away); The Lumbering Era (about 500 feet away); Graveyard of the Deep (about 600 feet away); Building Mighty Mac (about 600 feet away); Perry B. Darrow 1939 - 1995 (about 700 feet away); Crossroads of the Great Lakes (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.
Also see . . . 25. Shipping in the Straits. Web page with audio tour file. (Submitted on October 16, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 16, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.