Mackinac Island in Mackinac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Island House

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2017

1. Island House Marker

Inscription.
Constructed for Charles O’Malley about 1852, this building was one of the first summer hotels on Mackinac Island. Captain Henry Van Allen, a Great Lakes skipper, purchased the hotel in 1865. He later moved it from the beach to its present location. By the 1880s the Island House was known as “The best family hotel on the island.” Following the death of her parents, Mrs. Rose Van Allen Webster became proprietor about 1892. She was the wife of Colonel John Webster, whom she had met during the 1870s when he was stationed at Fort Mackinac. Mrs. Webster added the large wings in 1895 and 1912, retaining ownership until her death in 1938. The Island House still serves as a resort hotel.

Michigan History Division, Department of State
Registered Local Site No. 217
Property of the State of Michigan, 1973

Erected 1973 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L217.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 45° 51.042′ N,

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84° 36.851′ W. Marker is on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in Mackinac County. It is on Lake Shore Drive (Main Street) (State Highway 185) east of Fort Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is near the sidewalk, directly in front of the subject building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6966 Main Street, Mackinac Island MI 49757, 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

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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: The Indian Agency / Treaty of Washington of 1836 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lady Liberty on the Island (about 300 feet away); Saving Lady Liberty (about 400 feet away); "Cass Cliff" (about 600 feet away);

Island House Marker (<b><i>wide view</b></i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2017

2. Island House Marker (wide view)

Marquette (about 600 feet away); Somewhere in Time Gazebo (about 700 feet away); Ste. Anne de Michilimackinac Catholic Church (about 700 feet away); Sainte Anne Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinac Island.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Indian Dormitory / Henry R. Schoolcraft (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Island House History. Hotel website entry:
From its beginning over 150 years ago as a waterfront beach house to the family-restored hotel it is today, the Island House has opened its doors to over a million tourists from around the world. With its handsome Victorian structure and family owned intimacy, Mackinac Island’s oldest hotel is a tradition not to be missed. (Submitted on August 15, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Hotel History: Island House Hotel (1852). Historic Hotels website entry:
After Mrs. Webster's death, the hotel stood vacant for several years, as its maintenance and taxes were too burdensome for her heirs. In 1945, the state took over the property and for a brief

Island House (<i><b>corner/tower view</i></b>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2017

3. Island House (corner/tower view)

period the hotel was used to house the Moral Rearmament movement which came about just after World War II. The group moved to Mission Point two years later and the hotel again stood vacant until 1949. (Submitted on August 15, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 728 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.