Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Michigan State Ferry System
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Michigan State Car Ferries
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2011
1. Michigan State Ferry System
(marker side 1 • faces east)
(marker side 1 • faces east)
this page online
Registered State Site No. 670,
Property of the state of Michigan 2001
Erected 2001 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S670.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list.
Location. 45° 46.632′ N, 84° 43.535′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. It can be reached from South Huron Avenue north of Wendell Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located east of South Huron Avenue along the right (south) side of the driveway as you enter the Straits
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2011
2. Michigan State Car Ferries
(marker side 2 faces west)
(marker side 2 faces west)
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula, on the Straits of Mackinac, and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. 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 Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Auto Ferries (within shouting distance of this marker); Mill Creek (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Village of Mackinaw City Roth Performance Shell Proclamation (about 400 feet away); Ice Harvesting (about 400 feet away); Edgar Conkling - Modern founder (about 500 feet away); The Meneely Bell (about 600 feet away); Aquatic Aliens (about 600 feet away); Commercial Fishing (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.
Another
Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 16, 2019
3. Michigan State Ferry System / Michigan State Car Ferries Marker
View looking to the east down the driveway to the Straits State Harbor parking area.
Also see . . .
1. St. Ignace "Tidbits of History". Michigan was the first state to establish a state car ferry system. By late 1923, little Ariel was shuttling automobiles from St. Ignaces State Dock (now Arnold Transits dock) across the Straits of Mackinac to the State Dock in Mackinaw City. Over the course of the 34-year (1923-1957) lifespan of the Michigan State Car Ferry System, there were eight ferries: Ariel, Sainte Ignace, Mackinaw City, The Straits of Mackinac, City of Cheboygan, City of Munising, City of Petoskey, and Vacationland. (Submitted on April 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. History of the Michigan State Ferries. In 34 years of service, the ferries operated by the Department of State Highways carried some 12 million vehicles and more than 30 million passengers across the Straits of Mackinac that separate Michigan's two peninsulas. Though service rarely was suspended because of bad weather, there were times when strong winds jammed ice into dock areas, trapping even the big Vacationland. When that happened, passengers were forced to wait for the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw to break loose the imprisoned ferry. (Submitted on April 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 885 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on August 23, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
