Fort Mackinac

USA / Michigan / Mackinac Island /
 military, place with historical importance, fortification, state park, tourist attraction
www.mackinacparks.com/fort-mackinac/

Built by the British beginning in 1780, who feared their wooden Fort Michilimackinac was too vulnerable to attack by American forces.

Col. Patrick Sinclair spent two years and a literal fortune, transforming the limestone cliff overlooking the island harbor into a veritable fortress. The fort, which included the first stone buildings in Michigan, was lost to the British as part of the treaty that ended the American Revolution.

The fort was captured by the British in a surprise attack in the early days of the War of 1812, and the garrison later repulsed an American attempt to re-take the fort in 1814.

The British again lost the fort as part of the treaty that ended the War of 1812 and it remained a U.S. Army outpost until 1895. In 1875, the fort and island were designated a National Park, the second after Yellowstone. The soldiers stationed at the fort served as park rangers.

As of 1851, it was intended to be armed with ten 32-pounder guns, five 12-pounder guns, three field pieces, ten flank howitzers, two 8" heavy seacoast howizters, two 10" heavy mortars, two light 8" mortars and five coehorn mortars for a total of 39 guns.

Since 1895, the fort has been part of the Mackinac Island State Park. It is beautifully preserved. The tours are presented as period reenactments and is well worth a visit.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Mackinac
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   45°51'7"N   84°37'2"W

Comments

  • When I was here a few years ago, the 'soldiers' staged a reenactment of attacking a ship with a cannon. The target was a nearby tanker, and the 'cannonball' was a ball of foil!
This article was last modified 2 months ago