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...

Fort Michilimackinac Site Map

Mackinac Bridge

The ever-present bridge takes away a bit from the historic 'feel' but provides an interesting backdrop...

Native American Encampment

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...

Outside the Walls

Between 1715 and 1779 this fort was the power in the region, controlling both the straits and the commerce flowing through it...

6-Pound Smoothbore

This 6-pound smooth-bore cannon sits outside the water gate...demonstrations are given here numerous times during the day...

Commanding Officer's House

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...

Commanding Officer's House

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...

King's Storehouse

Soldier's provisions as well as any number of trade goods sent from the Britain and Canada would be stored here...

British Trader's House

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...

Wartime Fort

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...

British Fort (1761-1779)

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...

Northwest Rowhouse Gardens

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...

Northwest Rowhouse

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...

Piquet House (Interoir)

Apparently Piquet was a very wealthy individual. I didn't read what his story was so I'll have to a bit more investigating...

Military Latrine

Not much I need to say concerning a latrine...sorry, not open for use by the public...

Priest's House

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...

Priest's House (Interior)

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...

Blacksmith Shop

The blacksmith was understandably one of the most important individuals at the fort, and no doubt one of the busiest. I was interested to learn that the blacksmith was actually under the employ of the priest!

Church of St. Anne

This church was the center of religion at the fort. It's importance is evident in the fact that it was chosen as the first building to be moved to Mackinac Island during the fort's relocation...

Church of St. Anne (Interior)

This church was the center of religion at the fort. It's importance is evident in the fact that it was chosen as the first building to be moved to Mackinac Island during the fort's relocation...

Church of St. Anne (Interior)

This church was the center of religion at the fort. It's importance is evident in the fact that it was chosen as the first building to be moved to Mackinac Island during the fort's relocation...

Southwest Rowhouse

Six dwellings once made up this rowhouse, though only three have been reconstructed (another trader's house, Charles Langlade's House, and Alexis Sejourne's House)...

Trader's House (Southwest Rowhouse)

This is the second of two trader's houses at the fort, though originally there must have been more...

Alexis Sejourne's House (Southwest Rowhouse)

Alexis Sejourne was a North West Company trader who lived at the fort though beyond that I failed to take notes...

Southwest Rowhouse

A look at the gardens behind the rowhouse...

Southwest Field

This area of the fort has obviously not been reconstructed. It was home to still more rowhouses and, even though the area no doubt holds numerous hidden treasures, the buildings here would have been similar to the two rowhouses which have already been restored...

French Chimney

The chimney marks the end of the rowhouse which originally extended east from this point. The wooden structure is simply there to afford the ruins protection from the weather and tourists...

Mackinac Bridge & Fort

The bridge rises in the distance in this view from the southwest corner of the fort...

Southwest Rowhouse

Six dwellings once made up this rowhouse, though only three have been reconstructed (another trader's house, Charles Langlade's House, and Alexis Sejourne's House)...

Land Gate

The Land Gate provided the most direct route to the indian and trader village outside the fort. During Pontiac's Rebellion native american warriors entered and captured the fort after a brief but bloody battle in 1763.

Powder Magazine

Constructed in the 1740's, the magazine stored the entire garrisons' gunpowder. It was built of stout timbers and buried beneath a generous layer of dirt to lessen the effects of a possible explosion. The timbers survived the fort's burning in 1781 and can be seen through an underground display...

Chevalier House

This structure was home to both traders and soldiers. It met a premature demise however when, in 1775, it was deemed a fire hazard to the neighboring powder magazine and demolished...

Soldier's Barrack's

This large but simple structure was home to up to 72 enlisted men. There are a number of cool displays in here that give a great glimpse into the off-duty life of soldiers at this remote post...

Soldier's Barrack's (Interior)

Reconstructed sleeping quarters...two men to a bunk so they'd better get along!

The Palisade

I decided my last order of business would be a walk around the palisade, starting near the Water Gate...

Looking west from the northeast corner of the fort. The Water Gate is straight ahead with the Commanding Officer's House to the left...

Window on the Future

Looking out across the straits from atop the Water Gate...

Northwest Rowhouse

Making my way counter-clockwise around the walls I passed the Northwest Rowhouse and its gardens...

Fort Michilimackinac

Looking past the Water Gate to the bridge from the northwest corner of the fort...

View from the Northwest Corner

From the left is the Commanding Officer's Quarters, the Northwest Rowhouse, the Military Latrine (closest), and a portion of the Church of St. Anne and the Priest's House...

Western Wall

Below me is the French Chimney with the Southwest Rowhouse and the Church of St. Anne beyond...