Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac?
Mackinaw City Historical Pathway
Photographed By Joel Seewald, June 11, 2017
1. Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac? Marker
This marker has been replaced with newer marker. See below.
The entire Mackinac Straits region derives its name from a French translation of the Ojibway name for Mackinac Island; Missilimakinak, where missi (also michi or mishi) means great or many and Mackinac means turtle. Although it has been spelled many different ways over the years, the most common form is Michilimackinac and it means "the great turtle." The reason for this name becomes obvious when you notice the high cliffs on Mackinac Island seem to resemble a giant turtle shell.
In the early 1700s the fur trading outpost on the mainland became known as Fort Michilimackinac and the island was abbreviated to Mackinac. The Village of Mackinaw City was incorporated in 1883 with an English spelling that suggests the more common pronounciation of Mackinac.
Source: Memories of Mackinaw, Judy Ranville and Nancy Campbell (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 45° 46.873′ N, 84° 43.537′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. Marker is at the intersection of South Huron Avenue and East Central Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Huron Avenue. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Algomah (a few steps from this marker); Mackinaw's Civil War Dahlgren Cannons (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Mackinaw City (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackinaw City (within shouting distance of this marker); American Legion Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron Horse (within shouting distance of this marker); Chief Wawatam (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackinaw City Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.
Also see . . . Say it Mackinaw or Mackinac?. Visit Michigan Up North entry (Submitted on January 29, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 15, 2023
2. Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac? Marker
The Mackinac Straits region derives its name from a French translation of the Ojibway name for Mackinac Island; Missilimakinak, where missi (also Michi or Mishi) means great or many and Mackinac means turtle. Although it has been spelled many different ways over the years, the most common form is Michilimackinac and it means "the great turtle." With imagination, the island profile resembles a great turtle, partially submerged in the lake, with its outstretched neck and head peering off the to west.
In the early 1700s, the fur trading outpost on the mainland became known as Fort Michilimackinac, and the island was abbreviated to Mackinac. The Village of Mackinaw City was incorporated in 1883 with an English spelling that suggests the more common pronunciation of Mackinac.
Picture 1:Michilimackinac from Round Island by Major Francis Smith Belton, September 1817 from the collection of the Mackinac State Historic Parks.
Picture: Jonathan Carver's 1767 map identifies Fort Michillimackinac.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, June 11, 2017
3. Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac? Marker
View looking east across South Huron Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 339 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 20, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on May 27, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 3. submitted on July 20, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
