Mackinac Island in Mackinac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Biddle House
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Agatha and Edward Biddle
Photographed by Trevor L Whited, August 10, 2022
1. Biddle House / Agatha And Edward Biddle Marker
Biddle House. The Biddle House is one of the oldest structures on Mackinac Island, dating to the 1780s. It is an example of piece sur piece en coulisse construction, a frame structure with a log infill fitted into slots. This French Canadian building style was popular in the Great Lakes region in the eighteenth century. The original log structure was later covered with lath and plaster inside and clapboard siding outside. Edward (1782-1859) and Agatha (1797-1873) Biddle acquired the house around 1830. Inside, they raised three children and hosted friends and relatives. After the Biddle family departed in the late nineteenth century, the house fell into disrepair. In 1945 the Mackinac Island State Park Commission acquired the house, and in 1957, extensively restored it to serve as a museum. The commission installed the Mackinac Island Native American Museum in the house in 2020.
Agatha and Edward Biddle. The house, acquired by Agatha and Edward Biddle about 1830, represents Mackinac's blend of Euro-American and Indigenous cultures. Agatha, an Anishnaabe woman from southern Michigan, married Edward, a trader from Pennsylvania,
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Erected 2020 by MIchigan Historical Commission Michigan History Center. (Marker Number HB2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. 45° 50.93′ N, 84° 37.169′ W. Marker is on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in Mackinac County. It is on Market Street 0.1 miles south of Astor Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this
Photographed by Trevor L Whited, August 10, 2022
2. Biddle House / Agatha And Edward Biddle Marker
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: Pond's Defense (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Buildings of John Jacob Astors American Fur Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mackinac Island (about 300 feet away); Market Street (about 400 feet away); Lake View Hotel (about 500 feet away); Bonga Tavern (about 500 feet away); War of 1812 Memorial (about 500 feet away); Civil War Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinac Island.
Photographed by Trevor L Whited, August 10, 2022
3. Biddle House / Agatha And Edward Biddle Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2022, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. This page has been viewed 635 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 20, 2022, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
