Under the cover of night on Nov. 4, 1888, a cunning scheme unfolded at Fort Mackinac. A rubber hose was slipped through the barred window of a jail cell, delivering an intoxicating stream of Duffy’s Malt Whiskey to two imprisoned soldiers. Inside, the privates eagerly gulped the liquid contraband.
When a guard discovered the mischief, he rushed outside to catch the accomplice – only to find an empty whiskey bottle as the sole clue. The two soldiers faced swift consequences—they were court-martialed, dishonorably discharged and sent to Fort Leavenworth. The identity of their elusive co-conspirator, however, remains a mystery.
Decades later, while excavating an old dump behind the fort, archaeologists found the bottle.
It’s one of many examples of “garbage” from Mackinac Island’s past that has been unearthed to provide a tangible connection to the area’s incredible history.
More archaeology discoveries at Fort Mackinac
Today, Mackinac Island’s garbage is shipped to the mainland, but remnants of centuries-old trash remain buried beneath the island’s thin soil, layered atop its limestone base. These historical artifacts provide invaluable insights into the lives of those who once inhabited the island, says Lynn Evans, curator of archaeology for Mackinac State Historic Parks.
From old refuse pits to hidden caches, archaeologists have uncovered a fascinating assortment of artifacts during digs across Mackinac Island:
Military Artifacts From The 1814 Battle of Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s Wawashkamo Golf Club holds a unique distinction—it sits on the very ground where British and American forces clashed during the War of 1812. An extensive metal detection survey at the site uncovered a treasure trove of artifacts that not only confirmed historical accounts of the battle but also provided valuable insights into its unfolding.
The discoveries included buttons, spent bullets, casings and other artifacts from the conflict. These items help historians map out where the opposing lines of soldiers stood and how the battle progressed across the terrain.
Learn more about battlefield archaeology on Mackinac Island
Early 20th-Century Household Items From Mackinac Island Airport Garbage Dump
In the early 1900s, as electricity arrived on Mackinac Island, residents began replacing their oil lamps with the newfound convenience of lightbulbs. When those bulbs eventually burned out, they were discarded and hauled by horse-drawn dray to a dump—on land that would later become Mackinac Island Airport.
A century later, during reconstruction of the airport runway, archaeologists seized the chance to explore the historic site. Among the finds were two intact lightbulbs, preserved as rare artifacts of the island's early embrace of electricity.
The excavation also revealed a fascinating array of items, including hundreds of glass bottles from six Michigan breweries, ceramic fragments such as plates from Grand Hotel, and household goods from overseas. These discoveries highlight the diversity of commercial goods available on Mackinac Island at the time, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of its early 20th-century residents.
See more artifacts recovered from the Mackinac Island Airport dump
Stone Tools From Ancient Mackinac Island Village
While Mackinac Island rose to prominence as a hub of global commerce in the early 19th century, its history of human habitation stretches back far earlier. Evidence suggests that the area now known as Marquette Park, near the marina, was home to a village as early as the year 500.
Archaeological excavations at the site uncovered a fascinating array of artifacts. These included animal bones, which shed light on the diet of the time, and stone tools such as copper awls and a knife, offering a glimpse into the lives and ingenuity of the island’s earliest inhabitants.
More artifacts from Getewaaking, the ancient Mackinac Island village
A Mackinac Island Walrus Skull On Neighboring Round Island
Other archaeological finds on Mackinac Island include the original well from Fort Mackinac and a stone drain beneath the parade ground. Artifacts now displayed at the Biddle House Mackinac Island Native American Museum include items from a 1970s excavation of a privy used by the Biddle family in the 1820s. Other notable discoveries include a half-penny from the late 18th century, dating back to the construction of Fort Mackinac.
One of the most intriguing discoveries, however, is a walrus skull, found around the turn of the 20th century on Round Island by a Mackinac Island business owner. The skull, missing its tusks, was displayed at Fort Mackinac’s first museum, sparking curiosity and debate. Initially, it was theorized that the walrus, along with other marine animals, swam into the Great Lakes after the last Ice Age.
Further research, however, suggests a different story. The walrus skull was likely transported to the region as part of a trade network and discarded after its ivory tusks were removed, possibly as a gift or traded item.
Today, the Mackinac walrus skull is preserved and displayed at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.
Learn more about the Mackinac Island walrus
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