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

Mackinaw’s Early Growth

— Mackinaw City Historical Pathway —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2024

1. Mackinaw’s Early Growth Marker

Inscription. The railroad arrived in Mackinaw City in 1881 bringing growth.

Starting in 1881 Mackinaw City's population grew steadily, at the expense of Mackinac Island. The railroad industry provided many good jobs. That growth continued until the 1950s when the railroad industry was being replaced with truck shipping.

In these early years the main business district faced N. Huron Ave.

Erected 2024.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 45° 46.993′ N, 84° 43.393′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. It is on North Huron Avenue north of East Etherington Street, on the right when traveling north. It is near the water tower parking lot for Wawatam Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 507 E Etherington St, 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

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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 of this marker: Historic Timeline (a few steps from this marker); Mackinac and the Water Highway (a few steps from this marker); Mackinaw Boat - Mackinaw Coat (a few steps from this marker); Lake Level Research (within shouting distance of this marker); John L. (Jack) Staffan • Chief Wawatam (within shouting distance of this marker); Geology of the Straits (within shouting distance of this marker); Chief Wawatam (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chief Wawatam (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lake Level Research on the Great Lakes (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This interpretive panel is illustrated with

Mackinaw’s Early Growth marker is on the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 2, 2024

2. Mackinaw’s Early Growth marker is on the right

three maps (“Buildings in Mackinaw City in 1884,” “Buildings in 1895,” and a map of Union Depot including the Worthington hotel from that era), a chart of population growth from 1860 to 2020, and a photograph of men at the bar of Burrough’s Saloon in 1916.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2024, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.