The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-15
GEM Of TIE GREAT LAKES
BEAUTIFUL MACKINAC
20 i ISLAND
A FAR-FAMED SCENIC SPOT
Military Stronghold Under Three
Flags, and the headquarters
for the Early-DHy
t. Fur Traders.

MACKINAC ISLAND, July 14-(Spe-
CiaI.)-Leaving Sault Ste. Marie at in
the morning we found ourselves at Mack
mac Island at in the afternoon, having
had a delightful trip of about 100 miles on
the steamer India, of the Anchor line. On
board were several Minnesota people,
among them G. w. Copeland and wife,
Mrs. Rutherford and her sister, Miss
Haywood, from st. Paul, on their way
East by the Great Lakes. More than
half our trip was through the beautiful
St. Mary's river which widens into sew
eral lakes dotted with hundreds of ISL
ands,
After about sixty miles OF constantly
changing scenery, we steam through
Detour passage and into Lake Huron.
The navigation of the river and channel
has to be made in the most cautious man
ner, and stationed on the banks are the
marine police, who watch the vessels
closely. At different points their rate of
speed is carefully noted. There are nu-
merous lights and signals, and at certain
points in the channel are gas buoys that
burn night and day.
-.
A few hours on Lake Huron and we
are in sight of Mackinac. Just as we
We're nearing the island a live discussion
took place among the passengers as to
the correct pronunciation of the name,
some holding that the last letter is silent,
others that hard Co must be sounded.
One quiet little body thought that 1t
ought to be pronounced just as the peo-
pie who have lived there all their lives
v.-ich ~ no Tn ta1
with DR.. ]. r. Bailey, he said that it
should be pronounced exactly like Mack
NAV City, across on the mainland, al
though spelled a little differently. Dr.
Bailey is considered authority on all sub
jects Of interest in connection with the
island, and has written a very popular
history of this region. The old form was
Michilimackinac, which means great tur-
tie"
There Is an old Indian legend that once
upon a time the people were gathered on
the shores of old st. Ignace to watch the
rising run, when slowly before their as
tonished gaze arose this wonderful island,
appearing on the water like a huge green
turtle.
GEM OF THE LAKES.
No wonder this little island is called
the Gem of the Great Lakes" and is so
far-famed for its scenery. 1t is small
only a little over eight miles in circum-
ference-with an area of three and a half
miles. All the boats that stop here re-
main in port few hours, so that the pas
sengers may have a drive around the
island and get a glimpse of the main
points Of interest. But this will not suf-
fee. One must remain and take in the
place in its different lights and shadows.
There are thirty miles of roadway, in eX-
cellent order for bicycling, and the walks
lead TO places that have become cele-
brated for their natural beauty or his
toric interest
Arch Rock Is the most famous of the
natural curiosities of the island. 1t Is
huge rock 40 feet high. The lower part
has fallen away, and in the course of
time the water has worn it so that an
imposing arch is formed. Sugar Loaf is
another huge rock, about ninety feet
high, and is remarkable for its shape and
size The Indians had a very poetic and
romantic conception of this as the Great
Manitous wigwam When He visited the
island he assembled the cliff by the
Giants Stairway, passed through the
Arch Rock and thence to His wigwam.
The lovers leap, usual to all summer
resorts in America, is also here and IS
Just as high, wild and solitary as any
The same story is told of the despairing
indian maiden, who hearing of her
lovers death, leaps from the highest rock
and joins the spirit Of her warrior lover.
HISTORIC OLD FORT.
The old fort welcomes all corners to
Tamble through its buildings and one
may ascend the parapets, where grand
and FAR away view may be had This
Tort is no longer used for military pur-
poses. and some of the quarters are now
occupied as homes. The masonry of the
fort is in good condition and force is
now at work making some repairs 1t
was built in 1850, and the old military post
transferred from the main land The
French and British flags have both float
ed over this island. The British flag was
supplanted by the Stars and Stripes
after the War of 1872. From it's geo
graphical position it's influence was felt
among the Indian tribes for many hun
dreds of miles Vast tracts of country
looked to 1t for protection and supplies,
and it gave security to the great trading
establishments of the Northwest and
Hudson's bay. Skull cave, one of Gle
points Of interest. is noted for being the
hiding place of Alexander Henry, the fur
trader, VINO escaped massacre during an
uprising of the Indians. The whole place
teens with story of French, Indian and
British warfare.
Here, also. stands tho Astor trading
post, the headquarters of the American
Fur company, where John Jacob Asror
laid the foundation of his immense
wealth. Through this point the various
traders and trappers set out for their
hunting grounds about Lake Superior aud
It's tributary waters, and the far regions
of the West Here, after the absence Of
a year or more, they returned with their
skins and settled their accounts. the
jurs brought in by them were sent to
Montreal and thence large quantities
We're exported to Europe. The long, low.
white building which was tie headquar-
tiers of the fur trade is now a tourist
hotel, known as the Astor house. Instead
of the lines of Indian canoes along tn.
shore, there are large steamers. and the
traders and trappers have all disap-
peared, and in their stead are seen the
summer tourists and the June brides.
ITS SOCIAL, SIDE.
Viewed from its social side Mackinac
might be called the Newport of the
Northwest, and as it is a commonly ac-
Cepted fact In these days that a change
of people is just as beneficial as change
of air. a visit to this island will afford
just this opportunity. Here during the
season may be seen people from all parts
Of the world; and it is certainly helpful
TO have to listen responsively to some
new acquaintance who talks enthusiasts
tically on subject that never before had
any interest for one. 1t is also a luxury
TO give opinions without the gentle re-
minder from some old friend that YOU
took a different view last year