Fort Michilimackinac - Mackinac State Historic Parks (MI)
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Fort Michilimackinac - Entrance Path
On the approach...it actually wasn't as quiet as these photos suggest. There were a number of large school groups but, luckily, they move in herds and were easier to avoid that way...
The ever-present bridge takes away a bit from the historic 'feel' but provides an interesting backdrop...
Indian's were ever-present outside the walls of the fort. They tolerated the soldiers as trading partners and had much better relations with the French than the British...
Between 1715 and 1779 this fort was the power in the region, controlling both the straits and the commerce flowing through it...
This 6-pound smooth-bore cannon sits outside the water gate...demonstrations are given here numerous times during the day...
Strategically located within the walls to give maximum supervision over the happenings inside the fort walls. It is by far the largest private residence in the fort...
Strategically located within the walls to give maximum supervision over the happenings inside the fort walls. It is by far the largest private residence in the fort. The parade grounds are beyond...
Commanding Officer's House (Interior)
The eastern portion of the main floor showing the immense fireplace that runs up the center of the building...
Water Gate & King's Storehouse
The Water Gate marks the northern entrance to the fort. The storehouse housed supplies and trade goods. When the fort was relocated to Mackinac Island in 1779-80 the storehouse, instead of being burned, was moved as well...
Soldier's provisions as well as any number of trade goods sent from the Britain and Canada would be stored here...
Home to the earliest of Mackinac's seasonal entrepreneurs, archaeological evidence suggests this was a summer residence for a wealthy local trader. This longhouse originally contained five residences but only three have been reconstructed...
British Trader's House (Interior)
A representation of what one might have found inside the home of a local 18th Century trader. It would be quite likely those bales would have been full of beaver pelts...
De Lignery's Fort (1715-1730's)
The original french fort, this complex replaced an earlier outpost across the straits at St. Ignace, which was abandoned in 1698...
French Expansion (1730's-1744)
This major overhaul and expansion was due to the increased traffic in the straits and resulted in the same basic design the fort retained for the remainder of its existence...
At the outbreak of King George's War (aka. French and Indian War) the french added an additional inner palisade to boost defensibility. I'm not sure as to the purpose of the triangular extension through an accompanying sketch shows what looks to be a small farming area...
Now under British control, the fort again underwent remodeling. A hexagonal design and stouter strong points were a result of the fort again seeing a marked increase in trade and thus a necessary increase in size and strength...
American Revolutionary Fort (1779-1781)
Anticipating an American attack the defenses of the fort were once again bolstered. The commanding officer must have quickly decided the improvements were inadequate and ordered the complex moved to a more defensible position atop the cliffs of Mackinac Island. St. Anne's Church was the first to be moved followed by several others. The relocation was completed in 1781 with the burning of the remaining buildings...
In the summer numerous veggies bloom in the gardens neighboring the northwest rowhouse. This view looks towards the tower at the northwest corner of the fort...
There were originally five dwelling contained within this rowhouse. Only three have been reconstructed, including the previously visited trader's house at the far end...
Apparently Piquet was a very wealthy individual. I didn't read what his story was so I'll have to a bit more investigating...
Not much I need to say concerning a latrine...sorry, not open for use by the public...
Attached to St. Anne's Church, this dwelling housed a number of clergymen whose duties at the fort included performing Catholic mass, ministering to the natives, marriages, and funerals...
Attached to St. Anne's Church, this dwelling housed a number of clergymen whose duties at the fort included performing Catholic mass, ministering to the natives, marriages, and funerals...
