Discovery Trail to the Straits of Mackinac
The story of McGulpin Point Lighthouse and Historic Site spans thousands of years, from our earliest inhabitants who made it their home to the Europeans who arrived and settled the grounds. Later, when shipping began in full force through the Straits of Mackinac, its story became that of a lighthouse, helping captains navigate the tumultuous waters between Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas.
A new trail at the lighthouse interprets those various stages of the property, with cultural “docents” along the way telling the story of these important historical grounds. The trail was recently installed and includes five stations from the top of the bluff near the lighthouse itself and down to the waterfront at the Straits. Costumed re-enactors illustrate the eras of the McGulpins, McAlpins, Native warriors Nissowaquet and Charles de Langlade, and artist Jane Cardinal of Good Hart painted a Native man and his two sons carving a huge sturgeon — 9 feet in length! — from 9,000 years ago that depicts life at the water’s edge.
Below are images of the new trail for a “virtual tour!”