Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

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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.

Inscription.
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. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 45° 46.873′ N, 84° 43.537′ W. Marker was in Mackinaw City, Michigan,

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in Cheboygan County. It was at the intersection of South Huron Avenue and East Central Avenue, on the right when traveling south on South Huron Avenue. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 102 South Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City MI 49701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula,

on the Straits of Mackinac,

and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It was also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac? (here, next to this marker); Shepler's Ferry (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Algomah (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackinaw's Civil War Dahlgren Cannons (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Mackinaw City (within

Photographed by Joel Seewald, June 11, 2017

2. Mackinaw, Mackinac or Michilimackinac? Marker

View looking east across South Huron Avenue.

shouting distance of this marker); Guardian Spirit (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackinaw City (within shouting distance of this marker); American Legion Post No. 159 Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Algomah (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Mackinaw's Civil War Cannons (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Historic Mackinaw City (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

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.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 817 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.