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

The Mighty Mac

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

1. The Mighty Mac Marker

Inscription.
Mackinac Bridge ends the car ferry era

November 1, 1957 marked the beginning of the end for the car ferry business in the Straits. After a 20-year battle to finalize the plans and finances, construction of the Mackinac Bridge began May 7, 1954. Three years later, the first car crossed the Mighty Mac on a warm autumn day, officially ending the need for car ferries.

Over the course of 34 years, the state highway car ferry service carried over 12 million vehicles and 30 million passengers across the Straits. The thirty minute ferry trip across the Straits was replaced with a quick 10-minute drive. The number of motorists crossing nearly doubled by hunting season, with over 10,000 vehicles in one day.

Bridge Facts

First mention of a bridge connecting Mackinaw City and St. Ignace was July 1, 1888 following the opening of the Grand Hotel.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority was established in 1934 to investigate the feasibility of a bridge and begin financing the work through revenue bonds.

Construction officially began May 7, 1954.

The Mackinac Bridge has a total length of five miles.

The height of the

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roadway at mid-span is 200 feet abovewater level.

The bridge weighs over 1 million tons!

Erected by Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical date for this entry is November 1, 1957.

Location. 45° 46.672′ N, 84° 43.306′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. It can be reached from South Huron Avenue near Railroad Avenue. Marker is at the pavilions of the Straits State Harbor. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 321 South Huron Avenue, 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 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

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

2. The Mighty Mac Marker

of this marker: Before the bridge (a few steps from this marker); Crossing the Straits (a few steps from this marker); Windy City? (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackinaw City Water Level Station (within shouting distance of this marker); North Central Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Breaking the ice (within shouting distance of this marker); Aquatic Aliens (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Village of Mackinaw City Roth Performance Shell Proclamation (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.

Mackinac Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, January 2, 2023

3. Mackinac Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.