🎩 Grand Visions & Ghost Stories
The Grand Hotel, a Victorian marvel officially opened its doors to a curious and growing number of tourists on Mackinac Island. Built in a record-breaking 93 days, this now-iconic structure quickly became the crown jewel of Michigan tourism. From its opening on July 10, 1887 to today, it still holds court over the Straits of Mackinac today. But its story isn’t just about style and leisure. The hotel was built on a foundation literally steeped in mystery.
According to local legend, during construction, workers unearthed hundreds of human skeletons. There were so many that the sheer task of moving them became too much. Whether the bones belonged to Native American tribes, early European soldiers, or victims of forgotten frontier conflicts remains unknown. The solution? Build right over them. Today, that decision feeds into the island’s thriving ghost lore. It adds a layer of haunted history to an already fascinating landmark. Many island ghost tours and murder mystery events happily embrace the hotel’s chilling origin story.
The Famous Front Porch
Despite its spooky foundation, the Grand Hotel radiates elegance. Its most famous feature, the 660-foot-long front porch, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest porch in the world. The porch is lined with white rocking chairs, potted red geraniums, and American flags, it’s more than a photo op—it’s a living symbol of timeless Americana. Over the years, the porch has welcomed everyone from honeymooners to presidents, hosted phonograph demos by Thomas Edison, and served as the backdrop for countless summer romances.
Railroads and Steamships
The creation of the Grand Hotel was the result of a collaboration between several railroads and a steamship company. The Michigan Central Railroad, Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, and the Detroit and Cleveland Steamship Navigation Company. Designed by Detroit architects Mason and Rice, and marketed to vacationers from cities like Chicago, Erie, Montreal, and Detroit as a lakeside escape. When it opened in July 1887, nightly rates ranged from $3 to $5—that’s roughly $100 to $175 today.
The Grand’s grandeur hasn’t faded with time. In 1957, it was designated a State Historic Building. In 1972, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. And then in 1989, it became a National Historic Landmark. Though ownership shifted in 2019 from the Musser family to KSL Capital Partners, the hotel’s legacy has been meticulously preserved by Davidson Hospitality Group.
From ghost stories and luxury to music, presidents, and panoramic views, the Grand Hotel has earned its place as one of America’s most treasured and intriguing landmarks. Next time you stroll that famous porch, listen closely—you might hear the echoes of history (or maybe even something… spectral 👻).
Historical Marker
Industry and Invention (1875 – 1915) – Registered in 1957 and erected in 1958 – ID # HB10
Located on the West Bluff, Mackinac Island – Lat: 45.85067800/Long: -84.62478800
Opened on July 10, 1887, the Grand Hotel was built by the Grand Rapids and Indiana and the Michigan Central Railroads and the Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company through the efforts of Senator Francis B. Stockbridge. It is built of Michigan white pine. With its magnificent colonial porch, longest in the world, it is a classic example of gracious living in Victorian days. One of the outstanding landmarks on the Great Lakes, it is the world’s largest summer hotel.
