Mackinac Island in Mackinac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Indian Agency ⎯⎯⎯ Treaty of Washington of 1836
Photographed by Kevin W., May 30, 2026
1. The Indian Agency Marker
Inscription.
The Indian Agency, also, Treaty of Washington of 1836. .
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 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.
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 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
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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.)
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 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 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: Lady Liberty on the Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Saving Lady Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); Island House
3. The Indian Agency / Treaty of Washington of 1836 Marker
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 5 times since then. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2026, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
