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

Chi-Sin Trail

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 31, 2017

1. Chi-Sin Trail Marker

Inscription. At the end of this trail, "Chi-Sin" rests on the shoreline of the Straits of Mackinac.

In Anishnaabek, the language of the indigenous people, the Odawa Indians, Chi-Sin means literally "Big Rock." The Big Rock at the McGulpin Point shoreline is mammoth: It is about 33.8 feet in horizontal circumference and 37 feet in vertical circumference. Its height is 9 feet and its weight is estimated at 54 tons.

Historically the rock has been used to monitor the lake levels of the Straits of Mackinac. In earlier centuries the rock was nearly completely submerged; in modern times most of the rock has been above the water line.

Its presence has been noted historically. In 1749 it was described in a journal by French-Canadian voyageur Michel Chartier de Lotbinière as a "cyclic phenomenon" used by locals to gauge water depth.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1749.

Location. 45° 47.225′ N, 84° 46.368′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Emmet County. It can be reached from Headlands Road north

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of McGulpin Point Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the Chi-Sin Trail at McGulpin Point Lighthouse & Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Headlands Road, Mackinaw City MI 49701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula,

on the Straits of Mackinac,

and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Crossing the Straits (here, next to this marker); Keeper 1879-1906 (a few steps from this marker); Cedarville (a few steps from this marker); Carl D. Bradley (a few steps from this marker); Eber Ward (a few steps from this marker); James W. Bennett (a few steps from this marker); Minneapolis (a few steps from

Chi-Sin Marker & Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 31, 2017

2. Chi-Sin Marker & Trail

this marker); William H. Barnum (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.

Chi-Sin • "Big Rock" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 31, 2017

3. Chi-Sin • "Big Rock"

(Chi-Sin on left • Straits of Mackinac and Mackinac Bridge in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 871 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 15, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on August 17, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.