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

The Ice Bridge

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2017

1. The Ice Bridge Marker

Inscription. Every winter ice provides a vital link to the mainland. Two hundred years ago British soldiers used teams of oxen to haul men and materials across the ice when they moved Fort Michilimackinac from the mainland to the island. In the later 1800s the weekly mail was brought by dogsleds and horse-drawn cutters were used to haul firewood from neighboring islands.

Today, islanders anxiously wait for the Straits of Mackinac to freeze. Bitter cold and calm winds in January combine to form a solid sheet of ice. A path to St. Ignace, called the "ice bridge," is marked with leftover Christmas trees and becomes a busy highway for island snowmobilers, skiers and walkers.

Erected by Mackinac Associates and Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 45° 52.657′ N, 84° 38.71′ W. Marker is on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in Mackinac County. Marker is on Lake Shore Drive (State Highway 185) north of British Landing Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in a pull-out on the west side of the highway, overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mackinac Island MI 49757, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Mackinac Bridge (here, next to this marker); Limestone Breccia (a few steps from this marker); British Landing (a few steps from this marker); Sugar Loaf (approx. 1.7 miles away); Post Cemetery (approx. 1.8 miles away); Devil's Kitchen (approx. 1.8 miles away); Home Of The Ancestors (approx. 1.9 miles away); Skull Cave (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinac Island.

Also see . . .
1. Ice Bridge To Mackinac Island. Is the Ice Bridge to Mackinac Island going to form this year? That is a common question from residents and non-residents wanting to have another way to get off or to the Island after the last ferry stops when the Straits of Mackinac becomes too dangerous. It takes below zero weather and calm winds to allow this massive natural structure to form over such a large moving body of water. (Submitted on April 5, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Fort Michilimackinac (Wikipedia). The British eventually determined that the wooden fort on the mainland was too vulnerable. In 1781 they built a limestone fort on nearby Mackinac Island. Now known as Fort Mackinac, it was apparently also initially named Fort Michilimackinac. The British then moved related buildings to the island by dismantling them and moving

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 30, 2017

2. The Ice Bridge Marker

(leftmost of three related markers at this location)

them across the water in the summer and over ice in winter to the island during the next two years. (Submitted on April 5, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 541 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.