Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-07-24
MICKINAC.
The Island of M0cltiss0c-N0tion-
al ParE Historic Interest -Natss-

Correspondence OF The Detroit Post
MACKINAC, June 20, 1875.
Last winter when Senator Ferry intro
duced his bill setting apart the Island of
Mackinac for National Park, many per-
sons at once took it for granted that it
could not be possible that sane man
would think of Transforming lonely is
land into park, unless he expected to
transport it to some other locality. Even
in Michigan this island is supposed to be
up north somewhere, among the ice
bergs."
Let us now briefly glance at this future
National Park, and show the reader that
it is one of the most inviting spots for
the summer tourist that America posses
es. How to get there, being the first in
quiry, we will say that it can be reached
by steam from Chicago, Buffalo and De-
troit. A boat, the propeller Music, con-
meets with the Grand Rapids and Indiana
Railroad at Petoskey and makes daily
trips to the island. A steamer also runs
to Cheboygan. Reaching the island, the
the fort with its whitewaShed walls and
the old flag floating over it, is the first
thing on the programme. This fort is
now garrisoned by 80 men under the
command of Maj. Dickey. The sentinel
pacing his beat, armed with a musket
and arrayed in the war dress, and also the
cannon peering over the parapet, suggest
ravages of war, but the value of Mackinac
from military standpoint consists for
the most part in its history. Leaving
Fort Mackinac, walk north for about
half mile brings us to the ruins of Fort
Holmes. This was built by the British
during the War Of 1912, and was named
Fort George by them. When the Amer
leans gained possession of the island they
changed it to that of Holmes. in honor OF
Maj. Holmes, who was killed on the is
land. Nothing but the ruins of the fort
but in addition to the interset
that these possess, the view from this
spot is most beautiful one. Beyond
this point toward the northwest part Of
the island, the visitor finds the following
objects of interest: The Soldiers Gene
terry, located in the woods, is delightful
spot. Then we have the battlefield, at
Early's farm. The old farmhouse is it
self an interesting affair, but the battle
field is now an orchard. Half mile far
ther northwest we reach the British
Landing, the point where the English
landed during the War of 1912, and
up the road fought the battle
that gave to them the island Afterward,
when the Americans recovered possession,
he red-coats marched back to the same
spot and embarked in their boats A
strip of beach covered with pebbles
marks the landing.
Returning to the village let us glance
1T the place before proceeding
to view the natural beauties
that the island possesses. The
houses and buildings are nearly all old,
structures that have stood
for over half century. Among others
we have here the headquarters of the A
merican Fur Company, now occupied as
q hotel, the John Jacob AstOr House.
This has among other relics letter book
copies of letters writt7n by
persons connected with the company "a
bout the year 1920. They give much in
formation in regard to the history Of the
times. Letters to Gen. Cass, Gen. Win
ield Scott. j. j. Astor. and many other
prominent men can be seen. These
buildings were erected about the year ,
1920. although one was put UP in 1915.
At the time the letters were written it
says the village contained 40 inhabited
1ouses. There are now perhaps 400 in-
1abitants. Several good hotels are found
mere. The principal business done is in
he line of Indian curiosities, birch bark, :
sweet grass, and other ornamental work.
Of the natural scenery. first in order
we have the Lovers Leap, rock rising
from the beach, out from the bluff, about
l75 feet high. A very romantic Indian
story is connected vita this place, and
his fact and its grandeur as it stands
boldly out like sentinel guarding the
he rocky shore, makes it one of the fav-
)rites. A short distance west the won-
lerful Chimney Rock is reached. This {
S solid pile brecciated limestone about {
l10 feet high, shaped somewhat like a ]
chimney as seen from the lake. Prof. i
considers it the most interest |
ng rock on the island, and when We 6
study its geological history this appears
l well founded opinion.
Descending the bluff to the waters
edge we soon reach the rock called the I
Devils Kitchen. The name refers to a :
number OF openings resembling ovens.
and one in the center larger than the 9TH
srs family suggests fireplace. This !,
rock, and in fact there are several inter.
'sting ''pebbles" in its immediate vicini- !.
y that well repay the visitor for his walk ,
along the rugged pathway. /,
The eastern part of Mackinac merits
attention. First i'm order we have the
Arched Rock. This is 15O feet .
lbove Lake Huron, and is an almost per-
ect arch. with span of 80 feet. The
7isitor can reach the summit by little
careful climbing, and, sitting on the top t
If the arch, which is but three feet wide, Y
ne has a glorious view of the waters, {
hips, Bois Blanc Island and the MAIN Y
and. tc
The Giants Causeway, a short distance /
'outh, is another massive rock that was q
lurled up from beneath the waters by