Honoring Tradition
On this day in history: August 1929 marked the beginning of a cherished Michigan tradition. Eight Eagle Scouts boarded a Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company steamship bound for Mackinac Island. Among them was a young Gerald Ford, who would one day become the 38th President of the United States. These Scouts were the very first to serve as honor guards and guides at the historic Fort Mackinac. This tradition continues to this day.
That summer, Jerry Ford had just wrapped up his role on the staff at Camp Shawondossee when the opportunity of a lifetime arose. The Michigan state parks commission had envisioned an “honor guard” at Fort Mackinac. This would be a chance for Eagle Scouts to share the rich history of the fort with visitors. Ford joined seven other scouts as the Grand Rapids’ representative. Their picture taken with Michigan Governor Fred Green before setting sail for the island.
Overnight Voyage
After an overnight voyage on a steamship, the Scouts arrived on Mackinac Island, where they camped inside the fort, cooked their own meals, and immersed themselves in both history and nature. Daily tours, cannon firings at sunset, and flag ceremonies were all part of their duties, but they still found time for relaxation—and in Ford’s case, football practice in preparation for his senior season.
The experience left a lasting impression on Ford and thousands of Scouts who would follow in his footsteps over the decades. The Mackinac Island Governor’s Honor Guard, as the program came to be known, expanded in 1974 thanks to First Lady Helen Milliken’s efforts to include Girl Scouts, further enriching the tradition.
Scout Barracks Built
In 1934, a Civilian Conservation Corps project built Scout Barracks near the fort, providing dedicated housing for the program. Today, Scouts of all ranks, both BSA and GSA continue to raise and lower 26 flags daily. On top of being visitor guides and performing service projects that benefit Mackinac Island State Park.
A symbol of the enduring bond between Scouting and Mackinac Island can be seen overlooking the island’s harbor: a replica of the Statue of Liberty, one of 200 installed across the country by the Boy Scouts of America in 1950 to celebrate Scouting’s 40th anniversary. Michigan’s only replica stands proudly on the island and was beautifully restored and rededicated on July 4, 2014.
Troops Continue the Tradition
Every summer, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, 14 scout troops—eight from BSA councils and six from Girl Scout councils—call the island home for a week at a time, ensuring that this living tradition carries on for generations.
From its humble beginnings with eight young men—including a future president—to the vibrant, inclusive program it is today, the Mackinac Island Honor Guard remains a shining example of service, leadership, and history in action.
Historical Marker
Scout Barracks/Parade Ground
Two World Wars and the Depression (1915 – 1945) – Registered in 2014 and erected in 2015 – ID # L2266
Located at 6998 Huron Road, Mackinac Island – Lat: 45.85321000/Long: -84.61697000
Scout Barracks
In 1929, Park Commissioner Roger Andrews invited eight Eagle Scouts, including future President Gerald Ford, to serve as the “Governor’s Honor Guard” and tour guides at Fort Mackinac. Scouts raised and lowered the colors daily and fired the sunset gun. They stayed in the Fort Commissary until moving into these barracks, built in 1934. The building was constructed by the Mackinac Island Civilian Conservation Corps unit, many of whom were World War I veterans. In 1938, the program began to include Boy Scouts at all levels. Additions to the barracks were completed in 1961 and in 1975. They followed the style of the original building. At the urging of Michigan First Lady Helen Milliken, Girl Scouts joined the scout service program in 1975.
Parade Ground
In the nineteenth century, this area served as a parade ground for soldiers stationed at Fort Mackinac. Here, soldiers practiced marching, the manual of arms, bayonet skills and other military drills. By 1843, the parade ground was formally developed and fenced. In the 1870s, several buildings were erected on the edge of the parade ground, including horse stables and housing for non-commissioned officers. The parade ground also served as home field for the Fort Mackinac Base Ball Club. Founded in 1885, the club played games against other teams from Northern Michigan. In 1887, the team built a grandstand with seating for 500 spectators. An admission to a baseball game cost twenty-five cents, and grandstand seats cost an extra ten cents.
