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

The Indian Agency
⎯⎯⎯
Treaty of Washington of 1836

The Indian Agency Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., May 30, 2026

1. The Indian Agency Marker

Inscription. THE INDIAN AGENCY The Indian Agency was a mainstay on Mackinac Island during the first half of the nineteenth century. At the agency house, originally located next to this site, a federal agent conducted business with regional tribal nations: Ojibwe, Menomonee, Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Odawa and Potawatomi. Information was exchanged, grievances filed, goods distributed and concerns shared. The Washington Treaty of 1836 required "a dormitory for Indians visiting the post." Completed in 1838, this building was designed by Indian Agent Henry Rowe Schoolcraft. For eight years it was the agency's administrative headquarters. occasionally housing Native Americans who came to the island to receive their annual treaty payments. From 1867 to 1960, it served as the island's public school. The Mackinac Island State Park Commission bought the building in 1964 and renovated it in 1966.

TREATY OF WASHINGTON OF 1836 As Michigan was becoming a state, the 1836 Treaty of Washington transferred fifteen million acres of Ojibwe and Odawa land to the United States. It was Michigan's largest land-cession treaty. The

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tribal nations of Sault Ste. Marie, Mackinac, Muskegon, Little Traverse, Grand Traverse and Grand River signed the treaty. In July 1836 more than four thousand Odawa and Ojibwe came to Mackinac Island for the ratification. The treaty included removal provisions: created reservations: and promised services to tribes, multiple forms of compensation, payment of debts to traders and tribal retention of access to natural resources on ceded lands. The Ojibwe and Odawa people of northern Michigan avoided removal, but it took nearly 150 years for fishing rights and payment for ceded lands to be honored.

Erected 2024 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 768.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1836.

Location. 45° 51.052′ N, 84° 36.923′ W. Marker is on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in Mackinac County. It is on Main Street (Michigan Route 185) west of Bogan Lane, on the right when traveling west. Sits in front

Treaty of Washington of 1836 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., May 30, 2026

2. Treaty of Washington of 1836 Marker

of The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7070 Main St, 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.

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 Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lady Liberty on the Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Saving Lady Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); Island House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marquette (about 300 feet away); The Indian Dormitory (about 500 feet away); Somewhere in Time Gazebo (about 500 feet away); The 1780 British Water Well (about 500 feet away); Fort Mackinac (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in

The Indian Agency / Treaty of Washington of 1836 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., May 30, 2026

3. The Indian Agency / Treaty of Washington of 1836 Marker

Mackinac Island.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Indian Dormitory / Henry R. Schoolcraft (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

Treaty of Washington of 1836 side of the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., May 30, 2026

4. Treaty of Washington of 1836 side of the Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2026, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2026, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

The Indian Agency⎯⎯⎯Treaty of Washington of 1836

The Indian Agency
⎯⎯⎯
Treaty of Washington of 1836