Fort Mackinac

Built by the British in 1780 to protect the Great Lakes Fur Trade, Fort Mackinac served as a sentinel in the Straits of Mackinac for 115 years. Today the original restored fort is a National Historic Landmark as well as an extremely popular tourist destination. The fort is situated on 150 foot bluffs above the Straits of Mackinac and is one of the few surviving Revolutionary War forts in the U.S. and one of the most complete forts in the country. In 2005 , Fort Mackinac celebrated 225  years standing gaurd over Mackinac Island and is home to the second largest cannon regularly demonstrated on the Great Lakes; a 1841 model six-pounder! There are tours given daily during the season where you will see costumed interpreters portraying the life in 1880's, as well as rifle firings, Court Martial re-enactments, soldiers carrying the original 45-70 Springfield model 1873 used in the 1880's, and even dances with live music!!