Mackinac today
Long gone are the days of the fur trade and Native American legends. Today Mackinac Island's economic success is largely due to tourism. With various attractions, both natural, such as Arch Rock, and man made, such as Fort Mackinac, the island thrives on seasonal vacationers. The Grand Hotel (depicted above) is the largest resort on the island (The Standard Guide). The hotel property functions as time machine, transporting visitors back to a time when women wearing pants was frowned upon. Pictured left is the posted dress code for the grounds, which can only be entered by hotel guests or tourists who pay a hefty fee. Tea at the Grand Hotel is a major attraction for both guests and non-guests.
One element of the societal shift that transverses the actual landmass is the production of Mackinac Island Fudge. Just as a banks, drug stores, and Starbucks crop up on every corner of suburban America, the island is replete with fudge shops and vendors. The influx of visitors for the chocolate has even earned them the affectionate (or not-so affectionate) name of "fudgies" from the island locals. How did this happen? How did a region that thrived on commerce turn into a living museum of cultures past? The major change occurred during the mid-twentieth century after the railroad explosion and industrial expansion began to affect mainland Michigan. Professor Francis Blouin cites the end of the mining craze as a cause in the shift in island use. "The lakes cleared out," Blouin explains. "This led to cleaner water, increased tourism, and founding of summer camps and resorts all across northern Michigan." One of the first resorts was none other than the Grand Hotel. Industrialization was another major push towards tourism. Growth in industry, especially in metropolitan areas like Detroit, created a new strata of society that had the ability to travel for leisure (Kutler). Mackinac Island was just one of the many resort towns that benefited from this increase in vacation popularity. Defining classes and race relations between cultural groups on the island has been a challenge since the arrival of Europeans in the region. This issue extends into the current period. Social stratification on the island consists of a differentiation between the predominantly foreign work force, coming from places such as Haiti and eastern Europe, the local residents, and the leisure seekers. The differences between these groups are noticeable right down to the places they live and the jobs they hold. The foreign workers tend to work in service jobs whereas the local residents hold artisanal , museum, and management positions. Visitors to the island tend to be predominantly white upper middle class families. |
The two photos above depict the same spot on the island approximately 100 years apart. With the exception of paved roads and advanced architecture, much of the visual aura of the island remains the same. With no cars allowed, visiting the island today is almost like traveling back in time.