|
| Say "Aw" |
 The area encompassing Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City and the Straits of Mackinac has had its fair share of names throughout history.
Originally, the native people, the Ottawa and Ojibwa Indians, called this region the "Land of the Great Turtle" because of Mac Island?s resemblance to said critter. But they also called it Michinnimakinong, four words smooshed together that translate to "great connecting sound fault land."
The French arrived in 1715 and changed the word a bit, ending up with Michilimackinac. When the British come onto the scene, they spelled the name phonetically, with an aw ending. In 1780, Michilimackinac was shortened to Mackinac, and in 1882 Mackinaw City was formed.
Mackinaw City is the only part of the area spelled with aw. Mackinac Island, Mackinac County, the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge kept the French spelling but are still pronounced "aw."
To see previous Spotlights in our new, easier to read Spotlight archive, click here, or discuss this story on our new message boards.
|
|
|
|
 "Click for larger image")