12/31/2023 0 Comments Arch rock mackinac island painting![]() Schoolcraft, Indian Agent on Mackinac Island from 1833-1841. Written in the style of Native American legend, the popular work contained notes by Henry R. Sannillac, a Wyandot leader, was the subject of an 1831 narrative poem by Henry Whiting. Maiden Arch was renamed Sannillac Arch in 1916, by author Frank O’Brien, in his booklet Names of Places of Interest on Mackinac Island, Michigan. It is directly under the high cliff, or promenade which extends out into the lake, that tourists walk out upon while viewing the Arch Rock… Two hundred dollars would pay the expense of a winding stairway, down through the principal arch, then under the lower one, and extending to the lake, which would be the most picturesque scene on the island.” “From we followed the beach north to the foot of Arch Rock… There we discovered an interesting arch, which is not on the program, but is more wonderful, and will exist for ages after the renowned arch has crumbled and gone. Victorian era tourists explore Maiden Arch. That year, a visitor named “M.A.” described Maiden Arch in a small volume entitled, Eight Days Out. ![]() When Mackinac National Park was dissolved in 1895, the island’s arches became part of the newly created Mackinac Island State Park. Foley in 1887, entitled “ Maiden Arch, Under Arch Rock.” For many visitors, this smaller formation was easier to explore from the lakeshore rather than risking a steep hillside climb to view Arch Rock from above. A similar view was published by Mackinac Island photographer Edward P. His view, entitled, “Lower Arch to Natural Bridge” is one of the earliest known photos of this formation. Jenney, of Flint, Michigan printed a series of Picturesque – Mackinaw stereoview cards. Once much larger, this small arch has been known through the years as the Lower Arch, Little Arch, Maiden Arch and Sannillac Arch. Near the base of this cliff is a small, tunnel like arch, which is now nearly filled with rocky debris. One half of Arch Rock rests on a large pinnacle of Mackinac breccia limestone that towers 130 feet above Lake Huron. ![]() Men explore the “Lower Arch” in this view by photographer James A. A 1918 guidebook noted, “ To visit Mackinac Island and fail to climb the Giant’s Stairway and view this beautiful handiwork of nature, is to miss one of the leading features of the “Fairy Isle.” From the shore, visitors were encouraged to climb huge limestone ledges, like giant steps, to explore this natural wonder. “A little north and beyond a high pinnacle of rude rock crops out from the mountain side, near the base of which is a very picturesque arch, known as the ‘Fairy Arch,’ or Arch of the ‘Giant’s Stairway.’ This spot is rather difficult of access owing to the presence of huge rocks and an entangled forest.”įairy Arch became more accessible about 1900, when a boulevard completely encircling Mackinac Island was completed. In an 1875 guidebook for visitors of the newly created Mackinac National Park, publisher John Disturnell noted Fairy Arch was about ¼ mile from Arch Rock. In 1872, Constance Fenimore Woolson wrote, “Fairy Arch is of similar formation to Arched Rock, and lifts from the sands with a grace and beauty that justify the name bestowed upon it.” Despite challenging access, the lovely arch appeared on 19 th century maps and in guidebooks. Bailey rediscovered the 40-foot formation and coined the name Fairy Arch. For most of the 19 th century, Mackinac’s eastern shoreline was difficult to explore, covered by huge boulders and thick vegetation. Francis LeBarron as one of Mackinac Island’s two “ natural arches of the Gothic order.” Over the following decades, a thick undergrowth of young trees blanketed the island landscape, which had been previously cleared for firewood. Beaumont Museumįor many years, a small boat was the easiest way to access Fairy Arch (1872)įairy Arch was first described in 1802 by Dr. History of Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.
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