Military
8
Originally built in the mid-1730s by French civilians, the powder magazine provided a safe place to store gunpowder, musket balls, gun flints, and other ammunition. British soldiers repaired the structure in 1772, and during the American Revolution it housed supplies to arm the garrison and Native American war parties. In 1779, Lieutenant Governor Patrick Sinclair decided to relocate the entire community to Mackinac Island. Because the underground magazine could not be moved, British soldiers set it on fire in 1781. As it burned, the roof collapsed, smothering the fire and leaving behind well-preserved log walls, floorboards, and an entrance stairway. Most of the structure remained undisturbed until archaeologists excavated it in 1974-75. Today, it is the largest and best-preserved original structure at Michilimackinac.
Hear stories like this as you drive
ExploreHere reads historical markers out loud as you pass them: over 325,000 stories across the US. No account needed.
4.7 · 800+ ratings · Free
FIND IT
Mackinaw City, Michigan · United States
