Whether it is spelled Mackinaw as in Mackinaw City or Mackinac as in Mackinac Island, they are pronounced the same way: Mack-i-naw. Why? It is because of the area's rich history with the Native Americans, French, and British.

The area was named Michilimackinac by the Native Americans and when the French built a fort here in 1715, they recorded the name with a "c" on the end as a French word with an "aw" sound would be written. The word became shortened to Mackinac. The fort was moved on the winter ice to the island across the straits which became known as Mackinac Island.

Edgar Conkling was the founder of the city in 1857 and he changed the name to Mackinaw to reflect how the word actually sounds. Thus, in this part of Michigan, there is Mackinac Island, the Mackinac Bridge, the Straits of Mackinac, Mackinaw City, and the Icebreaker Mackinaw and they are all pronounced the same way: Mack-i-naw. There is no Mack in Mackinaw!

To learn more about the history of the Mackinaw City area and the Straits of Mackinac, visit:

Colonial Michilimackinac

Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

McGulpin Point Lighthouse

Mackinaw City Historical Pathway

Heritage Village