Living History. Making History
The tip of the mitt region in Michigan has long been an important place in the annals of local history. It had always been an important place for the region’s Native Americans, and soon after the arrival of the first European settlers, they too, began to establish a presence there. The French (later British) fort […]
Spring Break, Blossoms & Birds in the Straits of Mackinac Area
Spring is a beautiful time of year in the Mackinaw City area, as the winter melts away and nature comes out of its deep slumber. Mackinaw City businesses and hotels are celebrating the start of spring with vacation specials and events during the 4th Annual Mackinac Meltdown, including: April 1-16 — Spring Break Splash at […]
9th Annual Mackinac Bridge Fall Color Run Set for Oct. 7
Enjoy the spectacular views from the top of the Mackinac Bridge with all its fall splendor during the 9th Annual Mackinac Bridge Fall Color Run on Saturday, October 7. The first half of the race is a steady incline with a slope of 5º, with the total length of the course is 5.06 miles. The race begins at 7am with […]
Mackinac State Historic Parks Celebrates 125 Years
Mackinac State Historic Parks turns 125 years old in 2020. Established in 1895 when the federal government shuttered the country’s second national park, Mackinac National Park, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission has pursued the important mission of protecting, preserving and presenting Mackinac’s natural and historic wonders. Today, Mackinac State Historic Parks is a family […]
20 Roaring Ways to Celebrate Winter in the Straits of Mackinac
Things have certainly changed in the Straits of Mackinac over the past 100 years. In the winter of 1920, things would have been pretty quiet as the frozen Great Lakes waterways would have restricted some visitors from making their way to this historic area. Yet, some hearty souls would have made their way here aboard […]
Chill Out at the 2020 Mackinaw City Winter Festival, January 18-19
For more than a quarter century, Mackinaw City has rolled out the white carpet for a weekend of seasonal fun and excitement fit for the entire family. The 27th Annual Mackinaw City Winter Festival is scheduled for January 18-19, 2020. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 ALL WEEKEND Please note: Ice fishing & snow sculpting are the only […]
Snowy Owls Spend their Winters Around the Straits of Mackinac
Snowy Owls have recently been observed in Cheboygan, St. Ignace and on the Mackinac Bridge. It is still early December, but these beautiful arctic visitors are starting to appear throughout the Midwest in good numbers. During the past several winters snowy owls have been frequent visitors to Mackinaw City, and there should be prime opportunities […]
Remembering the Straits Military Past on Veterans Day
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on this date 100 years ago…November 11, 1919 – on the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. In 1954, the holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” in order […]
Oh Deer…Firearm Hunting Season Through the Straits
Since first opening in 1957, the Mackinac Bridge Authority has counted the number of deer taken south across the bridge during Michigan’s firearm deer season. This information helps the DNR index the size of the deer herd in the as well as the success of the firearm deer season in the Upper Peninsula. Over the past 60+ […]
Gangster John Dillinger Escaped the Heat (and Cooled His Heels) in the Straits of Mackinac Prior to Chicago Shooting Death
The Great Lake region is rich with gangster history, steeped in the Prohibition era of the 1920s and early 1930s. Of course, when one things of mafia leaders, Al Capone immediately comes to mind. But, another leader in underground crime was John Herbert Dillinger (born June 22, 1903 in the Oak Hill section of Indianapolis)…who […]