Last week I went to a ranger talk at the National Park Store. I learned a lot of new things about the National Park Service.
One of things I learned was the Mackinac Island National Park was the second National Park of the National Park Service. I never heard of this place before but there is a reason why.
This park is located in Michigan and it existed during 1875-1895 has a National Park. 20 years of being a National Park. The park was created in response to the growing popularity of the island as a summer resort. Its creation was largely the result of efforts by US Senator: Thomas W Ferry, a native of the island. Senate Bill 28 “to set aside a certain portion of the island of Mackinaw and the straits of Mackinaw, within the State of Michigan as a national park” was introduced December 2, 1874, and signed by President Ulysses S Grant on March 3, 1875. The national park covered 821 acres while the fort retained 103 acres and the remainder of the island was privately owned.
On the grounds there was Fort Mackinac, which continued to serve at a United States Army garrison during the operation of the park.
In 1895, the Michigan Governor John T Rich requested that the park and for was turned over to the State of Michigan becoming Mackinac Island State Park. It was the first State Park in Michigan.
Now during this time there are a lot of different things to see there. I have never been here before so hopefully in the future I will go.