As a car-free travel destination, Mackinac Island is synonymous with ferry boats that transport hundreds of thousands of people from the mainland each year. But did you know there was another Ferry that remains key to the visitor experience in the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination?

Thomas Ferry was a U.S. senator from Michigan in the 19th century, and he played a vital role in getting a large part of Mackinac Island designated as a national park. In recognition of the 150th anniversary of Mackinac National Park, here’s a quick rundown of how Sen. Ferry helped establish the country’s second national park in the place we know and love as one of the world’s best islands.

Mackinac Island’s Arch Rock with cloudy blue sky above and teal water of Lake Huron below

Who Was Mackinac Island’s Thomas Ferry?

Thomas Ferry was born in 1827 on Mackinac Island in the Mission House, which still stands next to Mission Point Resort. His parents were missionaries who established a Protestant church on the island. Mackinac Island’s Mission Church still holds worship services and is one of many beautiful venues for Mackinac Island wedding ceremonies.

Ferry had a lengthy political career, serving as a county clerk, state representative, state senator, U.S. representative and U.S. senator. He even rose to president pro tempore of the Senate, which at the time placed him first in line for the U.S. presidency when then-Vice President Henry Wilson died in 1875.

During his time as a senator, the U.S. Congress created Yellowstone National Park, the first of its kind. The next year, Ferry proposed a national park on Mackinac Island to preserve and protect the natural beauty, historical charm and unique geological features such as Arch Rock. With soldiers already stationed at Fort Mackinac and readily available to handle maintenance and operations, Congress moved to create Mackinac National Park in 1875.

Read this Smithsonian Magazine account of the history of Mackinac National Park

How To Learn More About Mackinac National Park’s Incredible History

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Mackinac National Park, several special experiences are being offered during the 2025 visitor season:

  • Mackinac Island’s historic Fort Mackinac is hosting a special daily program through Oct. 25. You can learn more about how Mackinac National Park was established, the rise in tourism that precipitated it, the creation of Mackinac Island State Park and historical preservation efforts that continue today.  

 

  • Mackinac State Historic Parks has published an official history of “Mackinac National Park: 1875-1895,” written by Keith R. Widder, a longtime curator of history for the park. You can discover some of the many features that make Mackinac Island’s national park stand out from all the others. The book is available at the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center and at the Fort Mackinac Museum Store.

 

  • Mackinac State Historic Parks is offering a guided bike ride through the former Mackinac National Park at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23. “Soldiers in the Park” will take a look at what roles the troops at Fort Mackinac played in park operations for the 20 years it existed before being transferred to the state of Michigan.

 

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