Created from: Michilimackinac County
Boundary finalized: 1849
Population: 1900 = 7,703 | 2000 = 11,943
The history of Mackinac County, Michigan is rich and multifaceted, with its origins tied to Native American settlements, French and British colonial influence, and the American fur trade. Early History Mackinac County, originally named Michilimackinac County, was the center of the Native American population in upper Michigan.
It was the site of the first French settlement in Michigan and the Northwest, where French explorers and missionaries like Jean Nicolet and Father Jacques Marquette voyaged and established missions. Father Marquette founded a chapel at St. Ignace in 1671, where he was later buried. Colonial and American Eras The area was a major hub for the fur trade, with French soldiers constructing Fort Michilimackinac in 1715.
After the Seven Years' War, the British took control in 1761. The fort was later attacked during Pontiac's Uprising in 1763. In 1780-1781, the British moved the fort to Mackinac Island, creating Fort Mackinac, a strategic location during the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
The United States took permanent control of the island in 1796, but the British briefly recaptured it during the War of 1812. County Formation and Development Michilimackinac County was one of the first counties of the Michigan Territory, established by proclamation in 1818. At one point, its boundaries were vast, extending from Detroit to what is now Minneapolis.
The county was formally organized as Mackinac County in 1849, with the county seat originally on Mackinac Island. In 1882, the county seat was moved to St. Ignace. The construction of the Mackinac Bridge in 1957, connecting the two peninsulas of Michigan, was a significant modern development for the county. [GEM]
The following sources are utilized in this website. [SOURCE-YEAR-MMDD-PG]:
