the Mackinac National Park, based upon this bill, was passed by Congress, March 3, 1875. Following the survey of the Park, certain lots were set aside for building purposes, on three of the most picturesque elevations, commanding water views. In 1885 was issued the first lease of a building lot in the Park, to Mrs. Phoebe Gehr, of Chicago, and in the same year the first three cottages to be erected on Park lots were built, respectively, by Mrs. Gehr, Mrs. Charlotte R. Warren, also of Chicago, and Col. John Atkinson, of Detroit. In 1884 was passed by Congress an Act to provide for the disposal of abandoned and useless Military Reservations, of which Section 3 reads: 2 "And provided further, the proceeds of the military reservation lands sold on Bois Blanc Island near to Fort Mackinac military reservation shall be set apart as a separate fund for the improvement of the National Park on the Island of Mackinac, Michigan, under the direction of the Secretary of War." On March 3, 1895, was approved the following act, introduced by James McMillan, Senator from Michigan: 3 "The Secretary of War is hereby authorized on application of the Governor of Michigan, to turn over to the State of Michigan, for use as a state park, and for no other purpose, the military reservation and buildings, and the land of the National Park on Mackinac Island, Michigan; provided, that whenever the state ceases to use the land for the purpose aforesaid, it shall revert to the United States." 2 Bailey, Mackinac, 212. 3 Report of the Board of Commissioners, Mackinac Island State Park, 1909. In 1895 the Legislature of Michigan accepted the government's offer, by an Act approved May 31, which in substance reads: 4 "AN ACT to provide for the appointment of a board of commissioners who shall have the management and control of the Mackinac Island State Park, and defining its powers and duties. "SECTION 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact: That, pursuant to an act of Congress authorizing the Secretary of War, on the application of the Governor of the State of Michigan, to turn over to the State of Michigan for use as a state park, and for no other purpose, the military reservation and buildings and the lands of the national park on Mackinac Island, the same shall thereafter be known as 'Mackinac Island State Park.' "SEC. 2. Provides: Within thirty days, appointment by the Governor, with the Senate's consent, of a board of five commissioners, citizens of the State, to serve, respectively, two, four, six, eight and ten years; also, the Governor to be ex-officio, a member. Commissioners shall serve without compensation, but may receive actual expenses out of the park fund, for not exceeding one week in each year. Governor to fill vacancies. "SEC. 3. Provides: Commission can lay out, control and manage park, employ and pay a superintendent, but debts and obligations can not exceed the funds on hand. Commissioners can designate one or more employes to act as deputy sheriffs of Mackinac county, with sheriff's approval, without pay or compensation as such. Commissioners report to Governor annually receipts and expenditures, and recommend and suggest as may seem proper. Bailey, Mackinac, 214. "SEC. 4. Provides: Superintendent shall see 'that the United States flag is kept floating from the flag staff of Fort Mackinac' under rules governing when the fort was occupied 'by the United States troops.' The Board of Commissioners, as above stated, numbers five members, who serve without pay, and are allowed necessary travelling expenses for a time not to exceed one week in any one year. Successive legislatures have added to their powers. The first meeting of the Commission was held at the Island, July 11, 1895. Governor John T. Rich, in behalf of the State of Michigan, formally accepted the Park from the Secretary of War. The Fort was evacuated on September 16, 1895, by the United States troops, who were removed to Sault Ste. Marie. Mackinac Island State Park contains 1,041 acres, of which 500 are covered with hardwood,-400 acres spruce, cedar, hemlock and other soft woods, and the balance cleared land. Old Fort Mackinac, begun in 1780, with its various buildings, comprises part of the Park. Throughout the Park are drives, paths and trails. There are more than forty miles of roads, with over sixty miles of Indian trails and paths. There is a boulevard shore drive, entirely around the Island, a distance of about nine miles. (See Distance Map in this work.) The expenses of keeping up the Park are met partly by receipts from the leases of Park lands for building purposes rented for summer homes, and partly by legislative appropriation. Among the notable improvements that have been made by 5 For names of Park Commissioners 1895-1917, see end of this chapter. |