Fort Mackinac

September 20, 2025 -- Fort Mackinac is a former British and American military outpost (now museum) located on Mackinac Island.  It overlooks the city and is part of Mackinac Island State Park. It was one of the places Ty and I visited when we went to Mackinac Island. Fortunately, it was very dog-friendly.

Fort Mackinac was established by the British in 1780 primarily to control the fur trade in the Great Lakes. It was relinquished to the US at the end of the American Revolutionary War. The British took the fort back in 1812, with the assistance of Native Americans. In fact, the siege was the first land engagement of the War of 1812. The US attempted to retake the fort in 1814, but failed. The fort returned to the US in 1815 after the end of the war. It was closed in 1895 and converted to a  living history museum. 

Fort Mackinac, c. 1780

Fall foliage

Overlooking the city

Post hospital

Hospital exhibit

Soldier's barracks

Artistic depictions of soldiers

Media presentation of hostilities

Ty didn't like when he shot the rifle.

Waiting patiently

Some of Michigan's oldest buildings are at Fort Mackinac. 

The fort offers great views of the city below.

The Guard House: the Black hole

Prisoner's carving

Ty enjoyed the fort.