Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-09-25
THE Gem OF THE STRAITS.
Mackinac, the Enchanted Island =
Picturesque Attractions and His
toric Associations of Michi-
gan's Fairy Isle.
Arch Rock, Sugar Loaf and Skull
Cave The Story Of the
Lovers Leap.

MAcKINAc ISLAND. Mich Where is
Armies house," The tourist at Macki-
nae Island who has read Constance Fenni-
more Woolson's charming Mackinac novel
invariably asks that question. Often the
question is put to il native. Now the
average Mackinac native is not very well
posted in recent American literature, and
has not the slightest idea who or what is
meant by the question, but it has been
asked of him so frequently during the last
decade that out of mere sefdefense he and
his inquisitor go ON their respective ways
vejoicing. ANNE real home is non esl.
The old agency so fully described by Miss
Woolson, stood in what is now the fort
garden. adjoining the village school, house.
The runs can still lie seen. BY the way,
'Rast, an important character of the
book, keeps a drug store in the village
now.
The globe-trotting Britisher who spends
a month in America with a notebook and
then goes home and writes a three-coumn
account of mis- impressions invariably
derides the United States tor the lack of
picturesque ruins and historical memora-
bilia. Such a one should come to Macki-
mac He will find on this beautiful island
relics of 'Auld Lang Syne' to his heart S
content. In fact, it is a veritable cradle of
history.
Two hundred and thirty years have pass
ell since the first white man set foot on this
soil. Father Marquette few years later
(1671) established Jesuit school here, and
his grave has turned Pointe st. lgnace, on
the mainland four miles away, into IA
miniature Mecca for those of his faith.
The names of La Sale, Hennepin, Tonty,
Cadillac and of other pioneers are associat-
ed with Mackinac.
The island has been called the Gem of
til Straits, Fairy Isle. y The Enchanted
Island" and by various other euphonious
titles, all indicative of its wonderful beauty.
Viewed from the deck of an incoming
steamer it presents an appearance that can
never be forgotten. The waters, blue as
the Bay of Naples; the rough, gray cliffs;
the white walls of the old fort the quaint
houses OF the village nesting beneath it;
the gaily painted, red-roofed cottages, and
the background of gently rising greenwood
form wonderful picture. The island is
nine miles in circumference and three in
diameter, and for the most part has been
set aside, on account of its beauty and
healthfulness, DIS national park.
Fort Mackinac, both on account of its
historical associations and its attractive
appearance, is chief point of interest to
visitors. 1t is situated on rocky emf
nence commanding a wide view of the
straits. 1t has stone Notifications and is
complete in all its appointments, both
| l,
houses erected in 1880 and canteen fitted
up in 1870. The stone walls Of the old
officers quarters are no less than three feet
thick Fort Mackinhc is one of the ''show
posts of the country, as they are termed
in army parlance, and is carefully kept up
in appearance. Three flags have floated
over it - the aeur-delis of France, the
British union Jack and the stars and
stripes
On the hill back of the fort are the ruins
of old Fort Holmes. built by the English
during the war of 1912 to give greater Sc
curity to their nold on the Island. 1t was
originally called Fort George. but when it
came into the hands of the United States
the name was changed ia honor of brave
American officer who fell in a battle on
the island during the struggles of that
period.
Arch Rock is one Of the most noted
physical features of Mackinac and the
! world. 1t is a natural arch spanning a
chasm ninety feet high and fifty broad.
1t is much like the famous natural bridge
of Virginia, only not so high or massive.
Descending through this chasm 'arched
! by the wand of God one sees Fairy Arch,
a miniature arch rock.
| Sugar Loaf is another wonderful point
of interest 1t is large mass of gray,
calcareous rock, rising abruptly on pla-
teau that stands $50 feet above the level of
the lake. 1t is like an old-fashioned oaf
/ of sugar, such as our grandmothers used.
There is "a large cavern at the base capa-
/ BILE of holding several persons at once.
Skals Cave is another spot pointed out
to visitors. 1t was Alexander Henry 5
hiding place during the troubous times of
The massacre at old Fort Mackinaw on the
mainland. British Landing, on the west
end of the island, is historic spot. There
! Captain Roberts disembarked force of
! English. French and Indians to capture
Fort Mackinaw in 1S42. Two years later
Colonel Groghan landed his American
force there and led many of them bravely
to death in the face of outnumbering foes
As no summer resort is complete with
out lovers leap Mackinac has one of
course. And whatever may be said OF
other spots where disconsolate SWANS and
swecthearts had cast their passion-rocked
bodies to destruction, Mackinac can GER
tainly boast of the great, original Lovers
Leap" Here is the legend: Once upon a
time there dwelt on this isle an Ojibway
maiden. beautiful and charming in every
way. Her name was Me-che-ne- mock-e-
nung-o-qua, who had brave and hand
some lover, who delighted in the euphoni-
Gus title of Ge-niw-e-gwon. They probably
called themselves "Me-che' and GEM
for short though that is a mere supposition.
Their favorite trysting place was aboldrock
on the western bluff There, when her
brave went away in the great war canoe to