Mackinac Island in Mackinac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Fort Mackinac
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2025
1. Fort Mackinac Marker
British commander Patrick Sinclair moved Fort Michilimackinac from the mainland (modern-day Mackinaw City) to this spot in 1780 during the American Revolution. Sinclair chose Mackinac Island because this high limestone bluff would protect his soldiers from an American attack. Fort Mackinac remained an active military post until United States soldiers left in 1895.
While the restored fort no longer defends the Straits of Mackinac, its exciting exhibits and lively interpretive programs capture Mackinac's rich history. All of the buildings are original, constructed by soldiers who lived and worked here. The Officers' Stone Quarters was built more than 200 years ago, during the American Revolution, and is one of Michigan's oldest buildings.
Made possible by a gift from Mackinac Associates
Erected by Michigan State Historic Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.
Location. 45° 51.056′ N, 84° 37.056′ W. Marker is on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in Mackinac County. It is at the intersection of Fort Street and Market Street, on the right when traveling north on Fort Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mackinac Island MI 49757, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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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: American Fur Company Store (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fort Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Trinity Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Indian Dormitory (within shouting distance of this marker); Marquette (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. William Beaumont (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sgt. Charles Cadreau, U.S. Army (about 400 feet away); Mackinac Island War Memorial (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinac Island.
Also see . . . Fort Mackinac. Excerpt from the Wikipedia article:
Fort Mackinac is a former British and American military outpost garrisoned from the late 18th century to the late 19th century in the city of Mackinac Island, Michigan, on Mackinac Island. The British built the fort during the American Revolutionary War to control the strategic Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, and by extension the fur trade on the Great Lakes.(Submitted on July 11, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2025
2. Fort Mackinac Marker
The fort is in the background at the top of the bluff.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2025
3. Fort Mackinac Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
