Western Wall

Fort Michilimackinac was built in 1715 to police and secure the vital and ever-increasing trade goods that were passing through the straits. The fort replaced and earlier French fort across the straits at St. Ignace which dated back to 1690. Michilimackinac stood for 60 years at this location and was expanded and renovated several times under both French and British control. The only battle to take place here occurred in 1763 when a small band of native Americans infiltrated and captured the fort during a regional uprising known as Pontiac's Rebellion. During the American Revolution the British felt the fort was indefensible at its current location and proceeded to move many of the structures to a new fort on Mackinac Island. The relocation took place between 1779-81 and, after taking what was necessary the British burned what remained to prevent enemy capture.

This is a photo journal of what I consider to be one of Michigan's most interesting historic landmarks, enjoy!!

5-27-2010

Fort Michilimackinac - Mackinac State Historic Parks (MI)

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...