Cottages of Mackinac Island, a Mackinac National Park: 150 Event!

Mackinac National Park was created in 1875. However, the question of how the amenities of such a park would be paid for persisted. One solution was to grant leaseholds on the East and West Bluffs. Since the 1840s wealthy island visitors had expressed interest in constructing cottages on the bluffs of Mackinac Island. By 1882 Captain Edwin Sellers reported that more than seven leases had been executed, and in 1885 the first summer cottages went up on the bluff. Join Chief Curator Craig Wilson for a walking tour of the East Bluff, pointing out historic cottages, and digging deeper into the unique relationship that dates back to Mackinac National Park. This walking tour begins at the Fort Mackinac Avenue of Flags and will travel about a mile along the East Bluff. This is a free program - donations welcome. #thisismackinac