Mackinac Island History

Mackinac Bridge 2005

I have driven across the Mackinac Bridge 100’s of times and walked it once.

Once a year the Bridge is open for the Labor Day Walk.

The Mackinac Bridge is currently the third longest suspension bridge in the world. In 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan became the longest with a total suspension of 12,826 feet. The Great Belt Bridge in Halsskov-Sprogoe, Denmark, which also opened in 1998, is the second longest suspension bridge in the world with a total suspension of 8,921 feet. The Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere.

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I have four generations from Mackianc Island.  The LaPine Family. My mother Dr. Mercedes A. LaPine  N.D.was the last to be born on my side of the family on the Island.  I have spent every summer on the Island since I was two years old.  My summers now are spent photographing Weddings on the Island.  Below are some facts about:

Mackinac or Mackinaw?

The name Michilimackinac, the place of the “Great Turtle”, was first given to Mackinac Island for its shape and was eventually given to the entire Straits of Mackinac region. In time, certainly by the 1820s, it was shortened to Mackinac. The founders of Mackinaw City opted for the phonetic “aw” spelling, probably as a way to distinguish their town from Mackinac Island for confused postal carriers.

Today Mackinaw City retains the “aw” spelling while the bridge, straits and island steadfastly cling to the “ac” spelling. No matter how it is spelled, however, it is always pronounced Mackinaw!

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