Mackinac Island, Michigan & Cars & Movies

[Chris Bessert]

An exchange in a recent thread started by one of our crossposting-but-
delusional friends from another forum (to remain unnamed, but apparently
he's a rather 'jolly' fellow) got me to thinking... As many here know
from previous discussion, Mackinac Island, Michigan has essentially
banned all motor vehicles on the island since 1896. This is interesting
beyond the fact that a locale has actually banned motor vehicles in
that this ban is in *Michigan* (home of the "Motor City" and all) as
well as the fact that Mackinac Island is home to a state trunkline
highway, M-185, the only motorless state highway known in existence.

However, as many here also know, there *are* a few motorized vehicles
on the island. Aside from the emergency vehicles -- fire trucks, ambu-
lance and other support vehicles -- one may also obtain a temporary
motor vehicle permit for those rare instances when the existing modes
of transport cannot serve the purpose. If the transportation of heavy
or cumbersome cargo isn't possible via foot, bicycle, carriage or
horse-drawn dray, the City of Mackinac Islan *may* issue a permit.

Other than the obvious situations, such as hauling backhoes, utility
company construction and even the movement of portable restroom facil-
ities, a rather unique recipient for these permits are film companies.
A few movies have been shot on the island and while the company is
generally given one motor vehicle permit to transport equipment, if
automobiles are to be present in the film, those, too, would need per-
mits.

1980's "Somewhere In Time" starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour
is one such movie. Filmed mostly on Mackinac Island but not actually
*set* there, several scenes required the use of cars. In fact, on
scene shows Christopher Reeve himself driving up to the Grand Hotel
in a convertable -- a rather jarring scene for those familiar with the
Island! Another scene features several cars on "Main Street" downtown
-- again a startling scene for those more used to seeing horse-drawn
carriages, bicyclists and tons of tourists on foot.

Here are a few quick "fair use" screen grabs of scenes from "Somewhere
In Time" showing cars on Mackinac Island for grins:

1. Loading Image... - Christopher
Reeve driving north on Cadotte Ave at the Grand Hotel.

2. Loading Image... - Christopher
Reeve driving up to the main entrance of the Grand Hotel

3. Loading Image... - Downtown
Mackinac Island's Main Street looking east. That's the back of
Christopher Reeve in front of Frank Shama's Gifts (still there today
next-door to Murdick's Fudge) with Fort Mackinac on the hill in the
background.

FYI, Main Street in photo No.3 is part of M-185, the motorless state
trunkline highway that complete encircles the Island. More M-185 info
can be found on http://www.michiganhighways.org at:

http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/MichHwys180-199.html#M-185

For anyone who's interested either in romantic historic love stories or
Mackinac Island (or Christopher Reeve for that matter), definitely
rent or buy "Somewhere in Time":

http://www.somewhereintime.tv/collectibles_video_dvd.htm

(Another aside: In the photograph of Reeve & Seymour on the cover of
the movie [see image at link above], they're sitting on Round Island
and you can see Mackinac Island in the background. This is a cropped
image. The full image, which continues to the right, also shows the
Grand Hotel, a major "player" in the film, as well as a Shepler's
ferry boat. It's obvious why this photo, set in 1912, couldn't be
used without being cropped...)

Later,
Chris

[Gary V]

Post by Chris Bessert
However, as many here also know, there *are* a few motorized vehicles
on the island. Aside from the emergency vehicles -- fire trucks, ambu-
lance and other support vehicles -- one may also obtain a temporary
motor vehicle permit for those rare instances when the existing modes
of transport cannot serve the purpose. If the transportation of heavy
or cumbersome cargo isn't possible via foot, bicycle, carriage or
horse-drawn dray, the City of Mackinac Island *may* issue a permit.

Not to mention snowmobiles. Once the "Fudgies" leave, the Island gets
a lot less strict. The residents save their Christmas Trees to mark a
safe path across the ice from the Island to St. Ignace.

I never watched "Somewhere in Time", but you're right, Chris, those
scenes with autos would be jarring.

We visited Mackinac Island a few years ago when the underwater power
cable from the mainland had completely failed. A lot of portable
generators in alleys, some on the sidewalks themselves, to keep
businesses open. Before repairing/replacing the cable, several large
generators in semi-trailers were set up. The experience was unusual -
you heard motors that you normally would not. Still, the attitude of
"Let's get through this as best we can" kept it positive. Maybe for a
first-time visitor it would have been a less-than-satisfying time, not
getting to experience the regular ambiance without mechanical noise.