When President Gerald R. Ford landed in a helicopter near the Scout Barracks behind Fort Mackinac in July 1975, among the dignitaries to greet him and the First Lady was Margaret Doud.
Three months earlier, Doud had been sworn into office as mayor of Mackinac Island. Now, a half-century later, she remains at the head of city government in the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination.
Doud in May 2025 won re-election for the 50th time, earning another 1-year term as Mackinac Island mayor. She is currently the longest-serving mayor in all of America.
Learn more about Mackinac Island’s Magnificent Mayor Margaret Doud
City Government on Mackinac Island
The mayor and six City Council members head Mackinac Island’s local government, which operates police and fire departments as well as Mackinac Marine Rescue. The city also runs a library, recreation programs, two island cemeteries, an eco-friendly composting center and the Stuart House City Museum.
About 500 people live on Mackinac Island year-round.
Aside from being America’s longest-serving mayor, Doud also is known as the owner of The Windermere, one of Mackinac Island’s most historic hotels. Before getting involved in city leadership, Doud was crowned Mackinac Island Lilac Queen in 1963 and taught kindergarten at Mackinac Island Public School.
Doud’s great-grandparents were among many Irish immigrants who came to Mackinac Island to escape the Great Potato Famine in the 1840s and 1850s.
Learn about the historic women of Mackinac Island
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