Did You Know Michigan Has Its Own ‘Plymouth Rock’?
Did you know Michigan has its own version of Plymouth Rock?
Just three miles west of Mackinaw City is the McGulpin Lighthouse.....and just a tad north, sitting just off the shore, is McGulpin Rock. There are plenty of rocks all along the shores of the Straits of Mackinac, but this one is something special.
It has been a trusty navigational tool as far back as 1615...even before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. French explorers noticed the rock when they arrived in 1615, five years before the pilgrims made their rock more famous. Etienne Brule, the first European to successfully cross each of the five Great Lakes, was on board; he took note of the rock and discovered that Native Americans used it for navigation, as well as determining the depth of the water.
One other thing that McGulpin Rock has over Plymouth Rock: it’s ten times bigger, at nine feet tall and 54 tons (Plymouth Rock in only five tons).
McGulpin Rock sits on the shore with a terrific view of the Mackinac Bridge. Also visit the McGulpin Lighthouse while you’re there – the public is welcome to climb the spiral staircase all the way to the top.
Plymouth Rock? Bah...
Gimme McGulpin Rock any time.
McGulpin Rock, Straits of Mackinac
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