This US Island, A Replica Of A Victorian Colony, Has No Motor Vehicles

For those who take a keen interest in the Victorian era, the only glimpse they can have of the time is through classic novels or period films. Carriages driven by horses and horse carts are the signature symbols of the bygone era. What if we told you that there is a place in the world where you could actually experience how it felt to be living in the Victorian age? Yes, there is a place in the world where carriages and horse carts are still the primary modes of transport, along with bicycles. This is because vehicles have been banned here for 125 years. We are talking about Mackinac Island, Michigan, in the US.

‘Horseless carriages’, that is, motorized vehicles, were banned here in 1898. The island located between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas may only be accessed by ferry or private aircraft. Use your own two feet, rent a bicycle, or take a trip on a horse and carriage to go around. Enjoying a more leisurely lifestyle allows you to fully appreciate Mackinac’s classic beauty, which includes its flawless Victorian architecture, vibrant seasonal foliage, the sound of hoofs clip-clopping, the smell of freshly made fudge, and the sound of waves crashing onto the shore.

On July 6, 1898, island officials imposed a motor vehicle prohibition after residents claimed that motor vehicles, which were a new innovation at that time, scared their horses. A ban on motor vehicles was implemented in response to occurrences involving horse-drawn carriages.

Situated close to Lake Huron in Mackinac County, Michigan, lies the summer resort community of Mackinac Island. This island has 583 residents and 48.8 square kilometres of land area. The place is known for its natural beauty and architecture that takes you back by a century and a half.

French fur traders and later British soldiers were particularly interested in Mackinac Island because of its strategic location. In 1780, the British built Fort Mackinac. One of the most visited sights in Mackinac and the oldest building in Michigan is the exquisitely restored fort. There are tours and historical reenactments with live cannon firings conducted by interpreters dressed in period attire. Built-in 1814, Fort Holmes is a modest garrison situated at the highest point on the island. The Point Lookout route is climbable for breathtaking views. Make sure you capture a picture of the beach-side cannon at British Landing, the location of the 1812 British invasion. Other fascinating historical locations are Michigan’s oldest golf course (Wawashkamo Golf Club, established in 1898) and the nation’s oldest grocery store.