About Mackinac Island, Michigan (courtesy of Wikipedia)
Mackinac Island (pronounced [ˈmækɪˌnɔː], like MACK-in-aw, note the silent "c") is a small island, 3.776 square miles (9.779 km²) in land area, in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, which lie between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island's strategic position amidst the commerce of the fur trade of the Great Lakes led to the establishment of Fort Mackinac on the island by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It was the scene of two strategic battles during the War of 1812.
In the late 19th century the island became a popular tourist attraction and summer colony. It continues to be famous for its lack of automobiles and its Victorian resort hotels, especially the Grand Hotel with its 660-foot (201 m) long front porch. Of the island's total area, over 82 percent is preserved as Mackinac Island State Park.
The city of Mackinac Island occupies the entire island as well as all of Round Island, which sits across the passage just to the south. (Round Island is currently uninhabited and is owned by the U.S. Forest Service in its entirety, part of the Hiawatha National Forest.)
The island has a year-round population of 523 persons (2000 census), mostly in the historic community located on the southern tip and in the community of "Harrisonville" farther inland. The population grows considerably in the resort season, when it is crowded with tourists, accommodating an average of 15,000 people per day. The highest point of the island is the historic Fort George (since 1815 officially called Fort Holmes), which is 320 feet (97 m) above the lake level and about 890 feet (270 m) above sea level. The Mackinac Bridge dominates the view from the west side of the island.
Mackinac Island is accessible by private boats, by ferry, and by small planes. The airport has a 3,500 foot (1,070 m) paved runway, and charter air service from the mainland is available. In the summer tourist season, three ferry services shuttle visitors to the island from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. During the winter months when the lake is frozen, the island is accessible by snowmobile. Residents take their Christmas trees to British Landing (the site of an 1812 assault on the fort), and place them along a route marking relatively safe ice.
Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the island with the exception of emergency vehicles, service vehicles, and, during the winter, snowmobiles. Travel on the island is by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage. Bicycles, carriages, and saddle horses are available for rent, although inexperienced carriage drivers and riders are advised to avoid busy town areas. An 8 mile (13 km) long road rings the island and numerous roads, trails and paths cover the interior. The road encircling the island and most closely hugging the shoreline is M-185, one of the few highways in the United States without motorized vehicles.
The island is famous for the multiple candy shops that line the streets of the village. The most popular items at these stores are the locally-produced "Mackinac Island fudge" and taffy, leading to the popular nickname of visiting shoppers as "fudgies". Spring brings a popular Lilac Festival to the island. News stories are covered by the local weekly Mackinac Island Town Crier.
The island has a significant number of hotel and bed and breakfast rooms for overnight guests, and some cottages for rent. No camping is allowed on the island.
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