Mackinaw City in Cheboygan County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mackinaw's First Business District
Mackinaw City Historical Pathway
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 19, 2019
1. Mackinaw's First Business District Marker
This marker has been replaced with newer version. See below.
In the early 1880s the main street of Mackinaw City consisted of these first two blocks of North Huron Avenue. Within only 40 years, in 1900 and again in 1916, two devastating fires completely destroyed the original business district. Chamberlain's Grocery and Hardware, of masonry construction, was one of only two buildings to survive these fires. The only other building to survive was the Mercier House hotel, now McDonalds restaurant. The Mercier House was actually the second building of that name in the first business district. An earlier fire in 1892 destroyed the original Mercier House, an outstanding hotel that stood across the street from where the modern water tower is now. This three story building had 140 rooms with a dining room that seated 250 and was the popular location for most of Mackinaw's big parties.
Erected by Mackinaw City Historical Pathway. (Marker Number 16.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 45° 46.933′ N, 84° 43.464′ W. Marker is in Mackinaw City, Michigan, in Cheboygan County. Marker is on North Huron north of East Central Avenue, on the right when traveling north
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Water Highway (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Dixie Highway (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Dixie Highway (about 300 feet away); Mackinac Island Passenger Ferries (about 300 feet away); Chief Wawatam (about 400 feet away); Iron Horse (about 400 feet away); Mackinaw City (about 400 feet away); Historic Mackinaw City (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinaw City.
Additional commentary.
1. McDonalds restaurant
Apparently, the McDonalds restaurant was only in Mackinaw City from the mid-1980s through the 1990s.
— Submitted October 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
2. Mackinaw's First Business District Marker - lower left image
Originally the S. B. Chamberlain store, this building was one of two that survived the fires.
3. Mackinaw's First Business District Marker - lower middle image
One of the few photos of the original business district.
4. Mackinaw's First Business District Marker - upper right image
Coffman's drug and jewelry store before it burned in 1916.
5. Mackinaw's First Business District Marker - lower right image
The original Mercier House hotel, with the employees each holding the implements of their work.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 15, 2023
6. Mackinaw's First Business District Marker
Mackinaw's First Business District
Waterfront downtown originally
Mackinaw City's main business district has
shifted location over the decades. In the early
1880's it consisted of the first two blocks of the Main
St., now called N. Huron Ave. The retail stores,
hotels and docks faced the waterfront.
Once the railroad service expanded, the railroad
traffic created another centroid on Central Ave.
north of the depot.
FIRE!
Two devastating fires completely destroyed the original business district, one in 1900 and a second in 1916. Chamberlain's Grocery
and Hardware, of Masonry construction, was one of only two buildings to survive both fires. The other was the Mercier House hotel which had burned in 1890, was rebuilt, then survive ed subsequent fires. The Mercier Hose was an outstanding hotel that stood across the street from today's water tower on the corner of E. Jamet and N. Huron. This three-story building offered 140 rooms with a dining hall that sated 250 and was the most popular location for Mackinaw's big parties.
Picture 1: Main Street (N. Huron Ave.) before the big fire
Picture 2: The store on N. Huron was moved to Central Ave. to become Coffman's Hardware
Picture 3: Mackinaw City Directory 277
New House- New Furniture-Delightfully Located
The undersigned desires to call the attention of visitors and the traveling public
To the
MERCIER HOUSE
The largest and most commodious Hotel in Mackinaw City.
The house is delightfully situated on the Straits of Mackinac and commands a fine view of the Island and adjacent country. good boating and fishing. The G. R. & I. R. R. and M. C. R. R. terminated at this place, and several boats arrive and depart daily, making it the most accessible resort in Northern Michigan.
MRS. U.C. MERCIER, Proprietress.
Picture 4: Mrs. Mercier, Owner of the Mercier House, renown for fine hospitality and cuisine.
Planiskek 2022
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 19, 2019
7. Mackinaw's First Business District Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 6. submitted on May 27, 2023, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 7. submitted on October 8, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of shops along the west side of North Huron Avenue. • Can you help?
