Mackinac Island State Park Live Cam

Mackinac Island is a small island located in Lake Huron, in the state of Michigan, USA. The island has a rich history, and was a center of commerce and strategic importance for the Native American tribes, French explorers and traders, British colonizers, and American pioneers.

The island was originally home to the Anishinaabe people, who considered it a sacred place and called it "Mitchimakinak" or "big turtle". They were later joined by the Huron, who used the island as a trading hub for furs, copper, and other goods.

In the 17th century, the French established a fort on the island, called Fort de Buade, to protect their interests in the fur trade. The fort was later replaced by Fort Mackinac, which was built by the British in 1780 and remained in use until the late 19th century.

During the War of 1812, the island was the site of a significant battle between the British and the Americans, which resulted in the capture of the island by the British. The Americans recaptured the island a year later, and it became a key post for maintaining control of the Great Lakes.