Mackinac Island in Mackinac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
American Fur Company Store
Photographed By M H, August 21, 2010
1. American Fur Company Store Marker
On June 6, 1822, Alexis St. Martin (1804-1880), a French Canadian voyageur, was accidentally shot in the American Fur Company Store located on this site. Dr. William Beaumont (1786-1853), the Fort Mackinac post surgeon, nursed St. Martin back to health. St. Martin’s wound healed leaving a permanent opening into his stomach. Through this opening Beaumont compared the digestibility of foods, recorded the temperature conditions, and extracted and analyzed gastric juice. Beaumont conducted the first of 250 experiments with St. Martin in 1825 in the Officers’ Stone Quarters at Fort Mackinac. Eight years later he published a groundbreaking book on his discovery of the digestive process.[ Dedication Plaque: ]
to the memory of
William Beaumont, M.D.
On this site, on June 6, 1822, Alexis St. Martin, a French Canadian voyageur, suffered an accidental gunshot wound which left a permanent opening into his stomach through which Dr. William Beaumont was able to study stomach physiology. Thus was laid the foundation of knowledge of digestion.
The vision and understanding of the Mackinac Island State
this page online
Michigan State Medical Society
Erected 2003 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center and State of Michigan. (Marker Number 19.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1811.
Location. 45° 51.034′ N, 84° 37.059′ W. Marker is on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in Mackinac County. Marker is at the intersection of Market Street and Fort Street, on the right when traveling west on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mackinac Island MI 49757, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trinity Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fort Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Marquette (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. William Beaumont (about 500 feet away); Indian Dormitory / Henry R. Schoolcraft (about 600 feet away); Lawrence A. Young Cottage (about 800 feet away); Biddle House / Agatha And Edward Biddle (about 800 feet away); Somewhere in Time Gazebo (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinac Island.
Additional commentary.
1. Dr. Beaumont's book
The book written by
Photographed By M H, August 21, 2010
2. Dedication Plaque
— Submitted August 26, 2010, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Photographed By M H, August 21, 2010
3. American Fur Company Store
Photographed By Trevor L Whited, August 10, 2022
4. American Fur Company Store Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2010. This page has been viewed 1,145 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2010, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. 4. submitted on August 19, 2022, by Trevor L Whited of Kokomo, Indiana. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
