Mackinac National Park
Mackinac National Park was a U.S. national park that existed from 1875 to 1895 on Mackinac Island in northern Michigan making it the second National Park in the United States after Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains. The 1,044-acre (422 ha) 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 United States Senator Thomas W. Ferry, a native of the island.
The park grounds included Fort Mackinac, which continued to serve as a garrison of the United States Army during the operation of the park, as well as island geological features such as Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf.
In 1895, at the request of the Michigan Governor John T. Rich, the fort was decommissioned and the park was turned over to the State of Michigan, becoming Mackinac Island State Park, the first state park in Michigan.
See also
External links
- Mackinac Island State Park facts
- The National Parks: Shaping the System
- Mackinac State Historic Park history
Coordinates: 45°52′00″N 84°37′00″W / 45.86666°N 84.61666°W