CHAPTER V.
Island of the Giant Fairies — Possession by the English — Erection of Government house — French remain at Old Mackinaw — Finally abandoned — Extent of the Island — History — Description — Natural curiosities — Arch Rock — Sugar Loaf Rock — Scull Rock — Dousman's Farm — Davenport's Farm — Robinson's Folly — The Devil's Punch Bowl — Healthful atmosphere — Transparency of the waters — Compared with Saratoga, Cape May, and Mt. Washington as a point for health and recreation — Description of a traveler in 1854 — Arrival of steamers and sailing vessels at the port during the year — Mr. Johnson's reminiscences — Indian name of Island — Mythology — Three brothers of the great Genii — Visit to the subterranean abode of the Genii — Vision — Apostrophe of an old Indian Chief — Old buildings — Door of Marquette's Chapel — John Jacob Astor and the fur trade — Present support of the place — Fort Mackinaw — Fort Holmes — Fine view — Interesting localities — War of 1812 — Death of Major Holmes — Soil of the Island.
The old fort having been deserted by the English, as we have noticed in a previous chapter, and they having fled to the Island of Mackinaw, which, in the Indian name, signifies Island of the giant fairies, preparations were made for a settlement. Sir Wm. Johnston called a grand council with those Indians who had been engaged in the massacre at Old Mackinaw. By this council, which was held in 1764, the spring following the siege, a way was opened for St. Clair to negotiate for the island, and also for the grants previously made by the Indians to the French for military purposes. The first thing done after the island had been obtained was the erection of a government house. The French and others who still remained at Old Mackinaw, amounting only to about three hundred, continued a few years, when they finally left, and everything was suffered to go into decay. A desolation reigned over it for many years, and, on account of the bloody siege, that point, which was the most attractive as well as the most important to Indians, French, and English in all the Lake region was, as if by common consent, abandoned.
Arch Rock.
Rock Castle—Pictured Rocks.
The "New Mackinaw," as it is called, distant seven miles from the Old, is on an island about nine miles in circumference, and covers an area of six thousand acres. Its extreme elevation above the lake is about three hundred and twelve feet. The village and fortress are situated on the southeastern extremity of the island, where there is a good harbor protected by a water battery. The island remained in possession of the British until 1793, when it was surrendered to the United States. It was retaken in 1812, but restored again by the treaty of Ghent, in 1814. It is situated in North lat. 45° 54', West lon. 84° 30' from Greenwich, being 7° 30' west from Washington. It is three hundred and fifty miles north of Chicago and about three hundred miles north from Detroit, and about two hundred and fifty miles west of Collingswood, Canada. The fort stands on an elevated ground about two hundred feet above the water. The town contains at present three hotels, six boarding houses, eight dry-goods stores, and seven groceries. Its public buildings are a Court House, Jail, Custom House, Post Office, and Express Office. There are two Churches, the Roman Catholic and Presbyterian.