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

Lake View Hotel

Lake View Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 16, 2023

1. Lake View Marker

Inscription.
Originally known as the Lake View House, this is one of the oldest continuously operated hotels on Mackinac Island. Reuben Chapman built the structure in 1858. After his death in 1860, the hotel was operated by his wife, Maria. In 1880 the Chapmans' daughter, Jeannie, and son-in-law, Claude C. Cable, purchased the structure. They later changed the name to the Lake View Hotel. In the 1890's, as Mackinac Island became a midwestern tourist mecca, the hotel was enlarged and the two large towers were added. The restaurant and bar were built in 1969 and expanded in 1975. The original portion of the hotel is a well preserved example of vernacular resort architecture. The handsome building is accented by an open, wood-columned porch with a modified hipped roof and a raised basement.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 45° 50.853′ N, 84° 37.149′ W. Marker is on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in Mackinac County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and French Lane, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7452 Main Street, Mackinac Island MI 49757, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Round Island Lighthouse (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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The Chicago-Mackinac Race (about 500 feet away); Biddle House / Agatha and Edward Biddle (about 500 feet away); Pond's Defense (about 700 feet away); Original Buildings of John Jacob Astor’s American Fur Company (about 700 feet away); Mackinac Island (about 800 feet away); Market Street (about 800 feet away); Bonga Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinac Island.

Additional commentary.
1. Previous marker
The text on this marker is the same as the text that was on a Michigan Historical Commission marker (L982) that was erected in 1985. According to an article on travelthemitten.com, "marker removed after renovations changed the historic structure, hotel has replaced with a blue and white one of their own."

— Submitted July 11, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.

Lake View Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2025

2. Lake View Hotel and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 607 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 26, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on July 11, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.