[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 127 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S11223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  COMMEMORATION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF MACKINAC 
                               STATE PARK

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 100th 
anniversary of the founding of Mackinac Island State Park. From the 
island's beginnings as a fort fought over by the French, British, and 
Americans, to the peaceful calm of a historical vacation spot enjoyed 
by many, Mackinac Island State Park and the waters surrounding it are a 
rich and important part of our Nation's frontier and exploratory 
history.
  Mackinac Island State Park became Michigan's first State park in 1895 
after its transfer to the State from the Federal Government, ending its 
20-year tenure as the Nation's second national park. The Mackinac 
Island State Park Commission was founded in 1895 to supervise the 
Mackinac Island State Park, including the 14 historic buildings 
comprising Fort Mackinac, which were built by the British Army in the 
late 18th century.
  In 1904, the commission took on the administration of the site of 
Colonial Michilimackinac, established by the French in 1715 in Mackinac 
City and later dismantled and moved to Mackinac Island by the British. 
The area had been a fur-trade community, full of life and color. In 
1975, the water-powered sawmill and 625-acre nature park known as Mill 
Creek were added to the land overseen by the commission. Mill Creek is 
located southeast of Mackinac City on the shore of Lake Huron. Over the 
years, the acquisition of land by the commission has led to a beautiful 
State park consisting of 1,800 acres and enjoyed by more than 800,000 
visitors each year.
  Mackinac Island State Park is dear to the hearts of many Michigan 
residents and visitors alike. The smell of Mackinac Island fudge brings 
childhood memories back to many a visitor while the clip-clop of horse 
hooves and the ring of bicycle bells on the automobile-free island 
recalls a by-gone time.
  Mackinac Island State Park is a vital part of Michigan's history. It 
is home to the State's oldest known building still standing and the 
longest porch in the world, located at the opulent Grand Hotel. I know 
many people in Michigan and around the world will join me in 
celebrating the jewel of the Great Lakes in the commemoration of its 
100 spectacular years.


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