Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel: A Sight to Behold
Unless you are from one of the Midwestern states that hug the Great Lakes, you may never have heard of Mackinac (pronounced “Mackinaw”) Island. Perhaps fans of the late actor Christopher Reeve would be in the know as the plot of his film Somewhere In Time centers around two characters staying at the Grand Hotel.
The history of this tiny island goes back many centuries. More than 400 years ago the island and the upper and lower peninsulas that make up the current state of Michigan were home to several tribes of Indigenous Peoples, including the Odawa, Ojibway and Potawatomi, to name a few. It wasn’t until the late 1600s that Europeans first saw Mackinac Island, and even later before the first Catholic mission was established.
The area surrounding the island became crucial to the growing fur trade, and forts were built by the French to protect their interests and settlers. Following the French and Indian War, the British took control of Fort Michilimackinac, on the mainland of the lower peninsula not far from the island. The island was under British control until the war of 1812. Fur trading remained strong through the early 1900s but the role the island played in the military was fading. Tourism was on the rise and many of the beautiful homes and hotels we see today were built during this period.
Getting to the island is very easy, as there are several companies that offer ferry service to and from it and points on the mainland. As you get closer to the island’s port, one of the first things you see is the Grand Hotel, perched high on imposing cliffs; the sight is truly magical. There are no cars allowed on the island, but you will see plenty of horses and carriages and even more people flying by on bicycles that they rented for the day.
The island’s main street boasts some of the best-preserved Victorian homes. Some of these homes are privately owned and many now function as bed and breakfasts. The island is also famous for its many fudge and candy shops. Passersby can see through the picture windows of the fudge shops just how the delicious confection is made. There are plenty of touristy shops to check out on the way to enjoy a meal at any of the waterfront restaurants.
The Grand Hotel is a must-see during your visit to the island. It was built in 1887 and has been beautifully maintained and thoughtfully updated over the years. If staying in one of the hotel’s rooms is not in your budget, do order a drink and sit on the expansive porch running the length of the hotel. There are several restaurants, shops, and an amazing ice cream parlor.
The grounds surrounding the hotel are breathtaking. I have enjoyed walking up into the more residential area of the island to see some of the perfectly restored homes dating back a hundred years. If you are keen to learn more about the island’s military history, then you will have to climb up a steep ramp to Fort Mackinac. The view from up there is worth it and you will see what life was like on the island many years ago.
It is not hard to understand why tourists flock to Mackinac Island every summer. The weather is far cooler, each house and hotel is more charming than the next, and you get to enjoy the shops and restaurants without the need or trouble of a car. In the movie Somewhere in Time, we meet a dignified elderly woman who approaches the male lead, Richard, played by the aforementioned Reeve. She hands him an antique watch and says emphatically, “Come back to me.” She beckons him to return to another era, 1912, when they first met and fell in love at the Grand Hotel. I think those of us with a connection to Mackinac Island and its hotel understand all too well that we also must come back.