Being a POW at a Resort.

[major bill]

Every year huge numbers of visitors shell out money to take a boat to beautiful Mackinac Island. No vehicles are allowed on the island and you must go by horse, bike, or walk.

During the Civil War three Confederates got a free boat ride to Mackinac Island. William Giles Harding, Washington Barrows, and Josepheus Conn Guide were more or less political prisoners and should not be considered standard POWs. At first the prisoners were apparently housed at Mission House

 

[major bill]

For folks who are not Michiganders. Mackinac and Mackinaw are pronounced the same and the "c" at the end of Mackinac is silent.
It is Mackinac Straits, Mackinac Island, Mackinac Bridge. However the city at Mackinac Straits is Mackinaw City. Even many Michiganders misspell Mackinaw City.

 

[dixie1861]

Great post! Thanks!

Definitely much better than your standard prison camps, I'd say.

 

[major bill]

I understand they were allowed to wander around town on pass.

 

[WJC]

Any contemporary photos?
Michigan is a beautiful state- depending (like much of the northern US) on the time of year. In winter it might not have been much fun for those POWs kept at the "resort".

 

[JaegerRex]

I was there as a kid. The only thing I remember of it is the Dr. Beaumont experiments on Alexis St. Martin.

 

[major bill]

I have not taken a boat over to Mackinac Island in years now. It is a magical place, every time I have went there my wife said "Abracadabra" and turned me into a pack mule. No abused pack mule has ever carried more packages onto a ferryboat.

 

[Kurt G]

The Mackinac Straights are a beautiful and historic area . Pontiac's Uprising , the War of 1812 and the fur trade preceded the modern tourists .

 

[jackt62]

Beautiful! Have to visit someday.

 

[major bill]

Remember, no cars on the Island so you better like horses and not wear your good shoes.