Fort Michilimackinac (2)

Fort Michilimackinac (2) (1712-1780) - Established by the French in 1712 to protect the straights of Mackinac and serve as a fur trading post. Located in present day Mackinaw City, Emmet County, Michigan. The fort was peacefully taken over by the British in 1761 near the end of the French & Indian War. Hostile Indians massacred the British garrison in 1763. The British garrison returned in 1674 and stayed until 1780 when the fort and garrison were moved out to a new Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island. Fort Michilimackinac was abandoned in 1780.

Early History

The French built the first Fort Michilimackinac in 1712 as a part of a trading operation on the south side of the Straits of Mackinac in present day Mackinaw City. The fort consisted of log interior buildings surrounded by a palisade of pointed logs with four blockhouses, one at each corner. Six iron cannon were emplaced to protect the fort.

French & Indian War (1754-1763)

Fort Michilimackinac remained in French hands until it was peacefully taken over by British Captain Henry Balfour in May 1761 as the French & Indian War was winding down.

Pontiac's War (1763-1764)

A small British garrison (35 men) remained at the fort until 1763 when an uprising of hostile Indians during Pontiac's War captured the fort and massacred most of the garrison. This uprising also resulted in the capture of Fort Sandusky, Fort St. Joseph, Fort Miami, and Fort Ouiatanon. Fort Detroit and Fort Pitt were besieged but escaped capture. The British re-garrisoned the ruined post on 22 Sep 1764.

Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

The British remained in control of Fort Michilimackinac through most of the Revolutionary War. By 1780 the fort commander, Major Patrick Sinclair, decided the risk of capture by Colonel George Rogers Clark was too great to remain. Major Sinclair obtained permission and moved the fort and all allied persons out to Mackinac Island and established Fort Mackinac. Fort Michilimackinac was abandoned in 1780.

Current Status

Part of Fort Michilimackinac State Park, Mackinaw City, Emmet County, Michigan, restored to how it looked in the 1700's.

{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: : Fort Michilimackinac State Park, 102 W. Straits Avenue, Mackinaw City, Emmet County, MI 49701

Maps & Images

Lat: 45.786518 Long: -84.735623

Multi Maps from ACME
Maps from Bing
Maps from Google
Elevation: 584'

Sources:

Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 421-423

Links:

Visited: No