Fort Mackinac, Military fortress on Mackinac Island, United States
Fort Mackinac is a limestone military installation built on a 150-foot bluff above the Straits of Mackinac on Mackinac Island in the United States. Fourteen original buildings from the founding period stand within the walls and display late 18th and early 19th century military architecture.
British forces built the installation in 1780 during the American Revolutionary War and transferred it to the United States in 1796. During the War of 1812 British troops recaptured the post and held it until 1815 before it returned permanently to American control.
Every day soldiers in period uniforms demonstrate military routines from the early 19th century. Rifle salutes and bugle calls echo across the parade ground, while reenacted court proceedings offer a glimpse into garrison life.
The approach involves steep paths leading up to the entrance on the bluff, so sturdy footwear is recommended. The season runs from May through October, and all interior spaces are open for tours that present military exhibits in each restored building.
Between 1875 and 1895 the post served simultaneously as both a military installation and a national park ranger station, a rare dual role in American history. This period marked an early experiment in combining military grounds with conservation duties.
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