Matthew Geary House

The Matthew Geary House is a two-story wood frame building with a balustrade entrance porch and an enclosed side porch located on Market Street. The interior features a central hall on the main floor with four rooms arranged around it, and four bedrooms upstairs in a similar configuration.

The house was built in 1846 and passed through several owners including the American Fur Company before Matthew Geary acquired it. Geary became an important figure in the community, serving as a village trustee.

The house reflects how island residents adapted their homes to local conditions through its raised basement design, which was necessary because of the rocky ground beneath the island. Visitors can see how practical construction methods became a defining feature of the neighborhood's appearance.

The house is available for monthly rentals from May through October and is managed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. Access to the property depends on rental schedules, so it is best to check availability in advance when planning a visit.

The house was once owned by the American Fur Company, one of the most powerful trading enterprises of the early 1800s, before becoming a residence for individual families. This connection reveals how the fur trade shaped the early development of island communities.