Fort Mackinac and the Ghosts of War

Built to hold the British away, Fort Mackinac has seen its fair share of death, both in war times and times of peace. Soldiers dying in wars, children taken by diseases are only some of the many ghosts said to haunt the old fort on Mackinac Island.

In the pristine waters of Lake Huron, situated between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Mackinac Island stands as a tranquil retreat renowned for its striking beauty, rich history, and a notable reputation for paranormal occurrences.In fact, Mackinac Island was called the most haunted town in America in 2021, with many stories having been covered over the years. And with only a full time population of around 583 people, the ghosts perhaps even outnumber the living.

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With no cars allowed and transportation limited to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages, the island offers a unique step back in time. Some come to enjoy the quiet seaside and enjoy the famous fudge. The island has become a perfect summer destination for Americans, but after the tourists leave in the fall, the fog from the Straits comes rolling in, and the leaves turn color, the ghost of the island remains to haunt it.

Built to hold the British away, Fort Mackinac has seen its fair share of death, both in war times and times of peace. Soldiers dying in wars, children taken by diseases are only some of the many ghosts said to haunt the old fort on Mackinac Island. — **Mackinac Island:** Cars were banned at the end of the nineteenth century due to health and safety concerns for the island’s residents and horses, as local carriage drivers said it scared their horses. This, together with the old historic houses and lush nature makes you feel like stepping back in time and welcoming old ghosts to linger.

A Brief History of Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island’s history stretches back thousands of years, with indigenous peoples such as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Huron considering it a sacred place long before European settlers arrived. The island’s name itself, derived from the Ojibwe word “Michilimackinac,” means “big turtle,” referring to the island’s shape when viewed from above.

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The French established a fur trading post here in the 17th century, and the island later became a strategic military outpost during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In the late 19th century, it became more of a summer colony and a tourist destination that it still is.

Fort Mackinac and the Echoes of War

Fort Mackinac, perched atop a bluff overlooking the island, is not just a historical site from the Revolutionary War era, but also one of its most haunted. As most haunted places in America, they believe the fort was built on top of a native burial ground.

The military fort dates back to 1779 founded by Patrick Sinclair, a British commander. Three years after its construction it was supposed to be handed over to the Americans, but Captain Robinson refused to. It was in the end handed over in 1796, but the fight of the fort was not over yet.

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During the war in 1812 it was known as Fort Michilimackinac and the British returned. They came back for the fort with the help of the natives and Canadians. It was a surprise attack with cannons, and the sixty American soldiers stationed at the fort were easily defeated. 13 died during the attack and 51 injured.

In 1814 however, it was given back to the Americans via a treaty, remaining with them without any more fights before being decommissioned in 1895.

Soldiers and civilians alike have reported unexplained phenomena, including disembodied footsteps, sudden cold spots, and the spectral figures of soldiers in 18th-century uniforms. There are mysterious orbs showing up in tourists’ holiday pictures. And it seems like the haunting is not only confined to one of the 14 historic buildings of the fort.

The Hospital Haunting

There used to be a hospital now operating as an exhibit within the fort, showing how it was done back in the 19th century. A doctor known as the father of gastric physiology worked here and studied in detail the digestive system after a fur trader shot a hole in his stomach and survived. Dating back to 1828, it’s the oldest hospital building in Michigan. As many who died in battle, even more died from diseases like typhoid fever outbreaks and other illnesses.

In the hospital, many visitors have felt an overwhelming feeling of sadness overcome them, thinking it has to have a paranormal source. It is also said that the sound of crying babies can be heard. Furniture is mysteriously moving around and the motion detectors in place keep going off, even when no one is there.

There is also the mysterious case of the people claiming to have seen floating phantom limbs in the air and them showing up in pictures.

The Children Haunting the fort

The Fort Mackinac was not only a military outpost, but also served as a home for those stationed there. At the Officer’s Stone Quarters the families of those deployed at the fort lived, including the children. It is now a tea room, and has toys for children that seem to constantly be played with after hours.

This building is said to be Michigan’s oldest building from 1780, and no wonder that ghost stories have formed inside. It’s said that a group of ghost children is playing around, leaving toys for people to find on the floor in the morning. It is believed that the children used to have a father stationed there, but do we know their names?

The Cowles Siblings Haunting the fort

There were a lot of children staying at the fort who died, including Josiah and Isabel Cowles who died in infancy. Could these be the children behind the haunting happening at the Stone Quarter?

The family had moved from post to post the last ten years and came to Fort Mackinac in 1884, a booming tourist town. It was supposed to be a fresh start, but shortly after they arrived, Josiah died. They moved away for a while, but came back with their daughter, Isabel, born in New York. Just before her first birthday, she died as well on the island. The two children were buried next to each other in the Post Cemetery.

Their mother, Mary Ella Cowles never recovered and deeply mourned their passing. It is also said she is haunting the fort, often seen in the Officer Hills Apartment Quarters, standing helpless and watching her babies die of a sickness she no one could cure. She is also said to be haunting their graves at the Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery.

The Fort After Hours

Thirteen other children died at the fort over the years and were all buried at the Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery, so there is not really known which one of them who is thought to be playing at the fort during the night.

As the sun sets on Mackinac Island, casting long shadows over its historic buildings, the past continues to linger in the cool evening air. The tales of Fort Mackinac and its spectral inhabitants serve as a reminder of the island’s rich, albeit haunting, history.