• Historical Information
• • Fort Mackinac History
  • • A Brief History of Fort Mackinac
    • Fort Mackinac Chronology
  • Colonial Michilimackinac History
  • Mackinac Island Downtown Buildings History
  • Mackinac Island State Park History
  • Historic Mill Creek History
  • Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse History
• Archaeology
• Museum Collections
• Museum Exhibits
• Researching Mackinac History
• Books & Museum Publications
• Museum Links

Fort Mackinac soldiers at dress parade in front of the soldiers' barracks, ca. 1890.

Fort Mackinac History

Fort Mackinac was founded during the American Revolution. Believing Fort Michilimackinac at what is now Mackinaw City was too vulnerable to American attack, the British moved the fort to Mackinac Island in 1780. Americans took control in 1796. In July 1812, in the first land engagement of the War of 1812 in the United States , the British captured the fort. In a bloody battle in 1814 the Americans attempted but failed to retake the fort. It was returned to the United States after the war. The fort remained active until 1895. During these years Mackinac Island was transformed from a center of the fur trade into a major summer resort.

The stone ramparts, the south sally port and the Officer’s Stone Quarters are all part of the original fort built over 225 years ago. The other buildings in the fort are of more recent origin, dating from the late 1790s to 1885. The buildings have been restored to how they looked during the final years of the fort’s occupation. Interpreters depict U. S. Army soldiers from this same period, dressed in distinctive Prussian-inspired uniforms.

Use the internal links below to learn more about the history of Fort Mackinac .

     A Brief History of Fort Mackinac

    Fort Mackinac Chronology

Click on the image for ordering an informative publication on the cultural history of Mackinac Island from the first people of Michilimackinac to present day park programs.