Mackinaw Township in Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mackinaw’s First Business District
| — | Mackinaw City Historical Pathway | — |
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2024
1. Mackinaw’s First Business District Marker
Waterfront downtown originally. Mackinaw city’s main business district has shifted location over the decades. In the early 1880s it consisted of the first two blocks of Main St., now called N. Huron Ave. The retail stores, hotels and docks faced the waterfront.
Once Railroad service expanded, the railroad traffic created another centroid on Central Ave. north of the depot.
Fire! Two devastating fires completely destroyed the original business district, one in 1900 and a second in 1916. Chamberlain’s Grocery and Hardware, of masonry construction, was one of the only two buildings to survive both fires. The other was the Mercier House hotel which had burned in 1890, was rebuilt, then survived subsequent fires. The Mercier House was an outstanding hotel that stood across the street from today–s water tower on the corner of E. Jamet and N. Huron. This three story building offered 140 rooms with a dining hall that seated 250 and was the most popular location for Mackinaw’s big parties.
Erected 2022.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 45° 46.932′ N,
this page online
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. 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 Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Water Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Dixie Highway (about 300 feet away); Mackinac Island Passenger Ferries (about 300 feet away); Chief Wawatam (about 400 feet away); Iron Horse (about 400 feet away); Mackinaw City (about 400 feet away); Historic Mackinaw City
Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 1, 2024
2. Mackinaw’s First Business District Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Mackinaw's First Business District (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Dixie Highway (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Historic Mackinaw City (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This interpretive panel is illustrated with four photographs and and excerpt from the Mackinaw City Directory for the Mercier House (transcribed below). Click on the image to zoom in so you can inspect them. The captions are, clockwise from lower left:
• Main Street (N. Huron Ave.) before the big fire
• This store on N. Huron was moved to Central Ave. to become Coffman’s Hardware
• New House. New Furniture. Delightfully Located. The undersigned desires to call the attention of visitors and the travelling public to the Mercier House. The largest and most commodious Hotel in Mackinaw City. This house is delightfully situated on the Straits of Mackinac, and commands a fine view of the Island and adjacent country. Good boating and fishing. The GR&I RR and MC RR terminate at this place and several boats arrive and depart daily, making it the most suitable hotel in Northern Michigan. Mrs. U.C. Mercier, Proprietress.
• Mrs. Mercier, owner of the Mercier House, renown for fine hospitality and cuisine.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
