Moran Township near St. Ignace in Mackinac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mackinac Straits

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 12, 2009

1. Mackinac Straits Marker

Inscription. Nicolet passed through the Straits in 1634 seeking a route to the Orient. Soon it became a crossroads where Indian, missionary, trapper, and soldier met. From the 1600's through the War of 1812 first Frenchman and Englishman, then Briton and American fought to control this strategic waterway. In 1679 the Griffin was the first sailing vessel to ply these waters. The railroad reached the Straits in 1882. Until the Mackinac Bridge was opened in 1957, ferries linked the north and south.

Erected 1958 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number 82.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1634.

Location. 45° 50.983′ N, 84° 43.333′ W. Marker is near St. Ignace, Michigan, in Mackinac County. It is in Moran Township. It is on Interstate 75 at milepost 343, ¾ mile south of U.S. 2, on the right when traveling north. The marker is approx. ¼ mile north of the Mackinac Bridge in the parking lot of the Michigan Welcome Center. Touch for map. Marker

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is in this post office area: Saint Ignace MI 49781, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

and on the Straits of Mackinac.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Honoring James P. Pitz (here, next to this marker); A Trail to Adventure (within shouting distance of this marker); David B. Steinman (approx. 0.3 miles away); South Tower Fog Bell (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mackinac Bridge Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Prentiss M. Brown, Michigan Lawyer, Mackinac Visionary (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mackinac Bridge, Michigan (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Ignace.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

2. Mackinac Straits Marker

Several trucks line up in front of the historical marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 703 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 24, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on January 4, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.