Finding All of Island's Historical Markers Can Offer a Fun, Free Treasure Hunt
By Sean Ely

Katie Cederholm stands next to the Michigan historical land marker at the American Fur Company store, which was renovated in 2004 to update and correct information about Dr. William Beaumont and Alexis St. Martin, prominent figures in the discovery of the digestive process. The original text was written in the 1960s contained some inaccuracies and focused on the structure of the building. The new cast-iron marker cost just under $3,000, and took months to produce.

Searching for historical markers on Mackinac Island offers enjoyable, free entertainment for visitors, said guidebook writer Laura Ashlee, who recommends spending at least an entire morning, afternoon, or evening in the pursuit.

When she was working on her guidebook, "Traveling Through Time: A Guide to Michigan's Historical Markers," on historical land markers across Michigan five years ago, she and her husband traveled to Mackinac Island searched every nook and cranny in a 10-mile expedition to local every one here.

She tells people that hunting for more than 20 markers is a way to have fun, see the beautiful sites, and is free.

Ms. Ashlee is the publications and historical marker coordinator in the State Historic Preservation Office at the Michigan Historical Center in Lansing. On Mackinac Island, she found that two markers had been removed. One at the American Fur Company had been replaced in 2004 by Mackinac State Historic Parks.

"I don't typically go out looking for the land markers, so this was new for me," Ms. Ashlee said. "But it was fun to go out there and take part in a type of scavenger or treasure hunt. It was exhausting, but at the same time, it was a gorgeous day, and that made it all worthwhile. On a place like Mackinac Island, there are so many interesting things to look at: the architecture, the beautiful landscape. Most people have to do it with the car, but here, you don't."

The two markers that had been removed contained language that is no longer considered appropriate, the couple discovered. The Indian Dormitory marker was changed, for example, because it had a sentence that read, "The Treaty of 1836 was one of the earliest attempts to consider the Indian problem in a humanitarian way." The Early Missionary Bark Chapel was also taken down because of wording no longer thought by the state to be appropriate.

Mackinac Island was one of the first places in the state to receive such markers because its significance to history was recognized in the early years of statehood.

"They chose topics and locations that they felt were most important to educate people at that moment," Ms. Ashlee said.

The main purpose of the marker program is education, she said.

"I think the program is popular because there is something for everyone. You can go out and collect historical markers, as they say, which means take photos of, or with, them. Many people enjoy the hunt, finding them, and reading all of the different aspects of the state history. They're informational."

The markers point out sites of historical interest that may otherwise look unassuming, said Katie Cederholm, curator of education at Mackinac State Historic Parks.

The Battlefield of 1814 is not preserved in its entirety, she noted, "but the marker helps everyone remember that part of history."

The Michigan Historical Commission began the marker program in 1955. People proposing a new land marker at a site must apply and research must document information about the site, which will be reviewed by the commission.

The State Historic Preservation Office writes the text for the marker, before it is presented to the commission and reviewed by the applicant for accuracy.

Applicants must pay for and install markers themselves. They cost $1,800 to $3,400, depending on size.

Twenty-five historical markers have been approved on Mackinac Island. The earliest were erected in the late 1950s and the last approved for the Mission House in 1993.

Most of the markers have been standardized in design over the years, but Skull Cave is an exception.

Ms. Ashlee has coordinated the marker program for 19 years. She compiled her first book in 1991,

The following 25 locations on Mackinac Island have been approved for markers: Battlefield of 1814, Beaumont Memorial, American Fur Company, Biddle House, British Cannon, British Landing, Early Missionary Bark Chapel, Fort Holmes, Grand Hotel, Historic Fort Mackinac, Indian Dormitory, Island House, Lake View Hotel, Little Stone Church, Mackinac Conference, Mackinac Island, Market Street, Mission Church, Mission House, Agency House, Round Island Lighthouse, Sainte Anne's Church, Skull Cave, Trinity Church, and Wawashkamo Golf Club.

The Early Missionary Bark Chapel and Agency House markers have been removed, and the Beaumont Memorial is now the American Fur Company, so 22 intact markers can be found today.