Michilimackinac is a name for the region around the Straits of Mackinac between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Today it is mostly within the boundaries of Michigan, in the United States.

The Native American nations of the Ojibwa (or Chippewa), along with Ottawa, inhabited the area at the time of European contact. The French were the first Europeans to explore there, where they established trading posts and missions.

One of the oldest, named St. Ingnace (St. Ignatius), was located on the north side of the strait at Point Iroquois, near present-day St. Ignace, Michigan. This mission was established in 1671 by the Jesuit Father Jacques Marquette. The village around the mission became known as "Mackinac" or "Michilmackinac". Later it was called "Old Michilmackinac" or "Ancient Fort Mackinac".

The French later established a fort and settlement on the south side of the strait. It was called Fort Michilimackinac. Present-day Mackinaw City, Michigan, developed nearby. The French moved their main fortifications defending the area to Mackinac Island in Lake Michigan, where they built Fort Mackinac. After Great Britain defeated France in the Seven Years' War (French and Indian War), their colonial forces took over the fort and territory.

Today, Michilimackinac is a tourist site. Re-enactors portray historic activities of the French and English. An archeological dig at the site is open for viewing.

[edit] References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (July 2009)

• Psenka, Charles J (2008) [2008]. Michilimackinac. Leelanau, Mich.: SBTC. http://www.michilimackinac.com. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 

• Fuller, George Newman (2005) [1926?]. A history of the upper peninsula of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=micounty;idno=ARW8562.0001.001. Retrieved 2006-06-11. 

• Robinson, George (2005) [1873]. History of Cheboygan and Mackinac Counties. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=micounty;idno=ARJ6005.0001.001. Retrieved 2006-06-11. 

• Strang, James Jesse (2005) [1854]. Ancient and modern Michilimackinac, including an account of the controversy between Mackinac and the Mormons. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=micounty;idno=AFK0709.0001.001. Retrieved 2006-06-11. 

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