Mackinac Island has been called the most historic spot in the Middle West. Fort Mackinac was first built by the British in 1780-81. It was not until 1796, thirteen years after the end of the Revolutionary War, that the British relinquished this fort to the Americans. Troops garrisoned Fort Mackinac until 1895. The barracks are now used to house foreign students that come over to the island for the summer to work to earn money to continue their education.
Arch Rock on Mackinac Island is a natural limestone formation with a span of 50 feet and rises 149 feet above the water
The Round Island Lighthouse, was completed in 1895
. Operating under the auspices of the United States Government, this facility was in continuous use for fifty-two years. It was manned by a crew of three until its beacon was replaced by an automatic light in 1924. A sole caretaker occupied and operated the station fro 1924 to 1947. Following the construction of a new automatic beacon near the breakwater off the south shore of Mackinac Island, the lighthouse was abandoned, The United States Forest Service now supervises the structure which is located in the Hiawatha National Forest.Anyone who has ridden the ferry to Mackinac Island knows that the Round Island Light may be the most viewed lighthouse in Michigan. Perched at the end of a rocky point, the distinctive red and white structure faces nearby Mackinac Island. At one time, this was one of the most endangered lights on the lakes. Storms had bitten a full corner our of the keeper's quarters and the elements threatened to wreck the site. Preservation groups stepped in and are currently restoring this light. Although the exterior was restored fully by 1980, work on the inside continues as well as general upkeep. This light was featured in the 1982 movie "Somewhere In Time".
The bottom light.. The Round Island Passage is a hexagonal steel and concrete structure. This light is closer to the edge of Round Island Passage than the 1895 light it replaced (Round Island Light).
That is all for now....
Candy and Johnny
