You might remember in 2019 when then-Vice President Mike Pence visited Mackinac Island to speak at a Republican leadership conference at Grand Hotel. The former Indiana governor broke with Mackinac Island tradition by traveling in an 8-vehicle motorcade back and forth from Mackinac Island Airport, where he arrived by helicopter.
Or, go back a half-century to the time Michigan’s own President Gerald R. Ford visited Mackinac Island with his wife, Betty, in 1975. Although they traveled around by horse-drawn carriage, the Secret Service did bring a vehicle to Mackinac Island in case of emergency.
Those are two of many instances when visitors have skirted Mackinac Island’s longstanding ban on cars, sometimes with permission from the proper authorities and sometimes in clear violation of the law. Here are eight more notable occasions when motor vehicles have had interesting (or even incriminating) moments on car-free Mackinac Island:
Mackinac Island’s Mechanical Monster
In 1998, a steam-powered automobile was driven down Market Street to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Mackinac Island’s vote to become car-free. The mayor and fellow community leaders re-created the historic debate from meeting minutes, including one public comment that labeled the horseless carriage a “mechanical monster.”
What to do with your car when you go to Mackinac Island
Motorized Movie Props on Mackinac Island
Several cars were brought to Mackinac Island with special permission in 1979 during filming of “Somewhere in Time,” a movie starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. In fact, the movie makes no attempt to present Mackinac Island as a place without cars. It features vehicles from both the 1970s and the 1910s, two eras depicted in the time-traveling story. However, the cast and crew weren’t allowed to drive the cars outside of actual filming.
Mackinac Island’s ‘Somewhere in Time’ gazebo
Mackinac Island Photography Shoots With Cars
Aside from filmmaking, cars have been brought to Mackinac Island from time to time for other photography purposes. For example, General Motors held a promotional photo shoot for the 1956 Buick Century Convertible on Mackinac Island, in front of Grand Hotel.
Where and how Mackinac Island photographers get the perfect shots
Emergency Vehicles on Mackinac Island
Behind the scenes, emergency vehicles are available on Mackinac Island all the time. In addition to police cars, there are fire trucks and this fancy ambulance that debuted in 2021. Mackinac Island State Park has vehicles on the island for maintenance tasks, too.
Mackinac Island police car, fire truck and ambulance, oh my!
Mackinac Island’s Embarrassing Auto Accident
It’s ironic, but the only car accident on Mackinac Island involved two emergency vehicles in 2005. Both were responding to a ferry passenger in need of medical attention when a fire truck hit the open door of an ambulance and caused “minor” damage.
Where to find medical care and other basic necessities on Mackinac Island
Motor Vehicle Mischief on Mackinac Island
In 1962, a man drove an Amphicar through the water and onto Mackinac Island – only to be issued a traffic ticket upon arrival! (His was not the only Amphicar to make a landing on Mackinac Island through the years.)
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Horseless Carriage Mishaps on Mackinac Island
Although the village banned cars in 1898, it wasn’t until 1901 that Mackinac Island State Park (which covers most of the island) followed suit. That came after summer cottager Earl C. Anthony brought a steam-powered Locomobile to Mackinac Island and reportedly startled and even injured horses, causing some carriages to crash.
7 sights to see on a public horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s Car-Free Curmudgeon
City and state park laws weren’t enough to deter some motorists. It took a Michigan court ruling in 1935 to stop E.M. Tellefson from driving around Mackinac Island. Tellefson regularly drove cars to Fort Holmes atop the island’s highest point where he maintained a commercial radio tower, according to “Mackinac Island” author Tom North. Tellefson’s 1928 Buick Country Club Coupe was placed in storage on Mackinac Island and remained there for 40 years before getting moved back to the mainland, restored and sold.
Fort Holmes on Mackinac Island
There are other exceptions to Mackinac Island’s longstanding ban on motorized transportation. For example, the electric utility that serves the island keeps a bucket truck and frequently uses it in the offseason to respond to system outages. Golf carts are allowed on Mackinac Island’s two golf courses. And since the 1960s, snowmobiles have been allowed on a limited number of roads by special permit in the winter.
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