Mackinaw City's Beaches Have Warmest Water In 12 Years

An unusually warm Spring has caused the temperature of Lake Huron's water near Mackinaw's favorite beaches to rise to temperatures not usually seen until the middle of July. While a hoodie is the normal beach attire for the middle of May, 2010 has attracted swimmers in the warm lake waters in the bay just south of the new State Dock, featuring Mackinaw City's largest sand beach. All beachront hotels have reported increased demand for lakefront rooms.

In 1761 the French relinquished Fort Michilimackinac to the British who had assumed control of Canada as a result of their victory in the French and Indian War. Under the British, the fort continued to serve as a major fur trade facility. The Ottawa and Chippewa in the Straits area, however, found British policies harsh compared to those of the French and they resented the British takeover. In 1763 as part of Pontiac's Rebellion, a group of Chippewa staged a ball game outside the stockade to create a diversion and gain entrance to the post and then attacked and killed most of the British occupants. See live reenactments of this event over Memorial Day Weekend. Admission is free. The use of Fort Michilimackinac came to an end in 1781 when the British abandoned the post and moved to Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island.

Today, it features re-enactments from British 1770s occupation and the American Revolution era. A National Historic Landmark, Colonial Michilimackinac is accredited by the American Association of Museums.