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Vintage Views of the Mackinac Straits Region
Vintage Views of the Mackinac Straits Region follows a trail of vacationers and travelers to northern Michigan through postcards, photos and old travel ephemera. The book uses ?vintage views? to portray historical Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, the car ferries, and the famous Mackinac Bridge. Voices from the past describe the region's scenic beauty, historical sites and tourist attractions. From travel by steamship and railroad to caravans of automobiles, from mom and pop cabins to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, from the striking Arch Rock to the baffling Mystery Spot, the Straits region has attracted visitors for over 150 years.
152 pages, Hardcover
First published August 17, 2007
About the author
M. Christine Byron
7 books2 followersChristine and Tom have drawn extensively from their own personal collection of postcards and travel ephemera, as well as using material borrowed from private collectors, archives, libraries and museums for inclusion in this book. As the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Bridge is celebrated this year, the Mackinac Straits region continues to be one of the premiere vacation areas in Michigan. Anyone who has ever visited this region will be interested in this unique historical portrait.
The Library of Michigan has selected both the authors two previous books, Vintage Views of Leelanau County (2002) and Vintage Views of the Charlevoix-Petoskey Region (2005) as Michigan Notable Books.
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The Library of Michigan has selected both the authors two previous books, Vintage Views of Leelanau County (2002) and Vintage Views of the Charlevoix-Petoskey Region (2005) as Michigan Notable Books.
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
August 29, 2015
I loved it and it is beautifully done, but 4/5 stars because it made me so very homesick and sad with nostalgia.
It was a fascinating look at the earlier years of my favorite region through news articles, postcards, and advertisements. The postcards created the most human experience in seeing the straits region through vacationers’ eyes. The compilation and chronological order made it easy to understand and enjoy each region throughout the straits.
I was surprised at how often the postcards indicated parents traveling on a vacation without their children. I thought that was very interesting as it is certainly not something done today. Was it too expensive to take the kids too? Were these trips escapes from not only work life but family responsibilities too?
I loved seeing all the places I’d been many times as they evolved from beginning tourist sites to the modern version we see today.
I was also surprised to learn the area was considered to be extremely healthy. The primary reason people seemed to travel there was for the fresh air and to escape hay fever in the Midwestern states. All the outdoor activities were also seen as improving visitors’ health as well.
The writing from the last postcard in the book, showing a pebbled beach and Lake Huron from Mackinac Island, said it perfectly, “It’s so beautiful here! Almost a dream world. Wish we could stay all summer. Are having the time of our lives.” Chris and Tim, 1912, mailed to Pontiac, Mich.
It was a fascinating look at the earlier years of my favorite region through news articles, postcards, and advertisements. The postcards created the most human experience in seeing the straits region through vacationers’ eyes. The compilation and chronological order made it easy to understand and enjoy each region throughout the straits.
I was surprised at how often the postcards indicated parents traveling on a vacation without their children. I thought that was very interesting as it is certainly not something done today. Was it too expensive to take the kids too? Were these trips escapes from not only work life but family responsibilities too?
I loved seeing all the places I’d been many times as they evolved from beginning tourist sites to the modern version we see today.
I was also surprised to learn the area was considered to be extremely healthy. The primary reason people seemed to travel there was for the fresh air and to escape hay fever in the Midwestern states. All the outdoor activities were also seen as improving visitors’ health as well.
The writing from the last postcard in the book, showing a pebbled beach and Lake Huron from Mackinac Island, said it perfectly, “It’s so beautiful here! Almost a dream world. Wish we could stay all summer. Are having the time of our lives.” Chris and Tim, 1912, mailed to Pontiac, Mich.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review