Devil's Kitchen (cave) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Devil's Kitchen |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Mackinac Island, Michigan |
|
Devil's Kitchen
|
|
|
U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
|
| Part of | Mackinac Island (ID66000397) |
| Designated NHLDCP | October 15, 1966 |
Devil's Kitchen is a small, interesting cave located on the southwestern shore of Mackinac Island in Michigan, USA. It's a popular spot for visitors because of its unique look and the stories surrounding it. This cave was formed a long time ago by the powerful waves of Lake Huron.
Contents
Exploring Devil's Kitchen Cave
Devil's Kitchen is not a deep cave. It has two hollowed-out sections in a rocky cliff. One hollow is right above the other. This makes the cave look a bit like a human face with an open mouth.
How the Cave Was Formed
The rocks on Mackinac Island are made of a special type of limestone. This limestone has broken up into many pieces over time. The constant pounding of waves from Lake Huron slowly carved out the cave. This happened during a period after the last ice age, when the lake levels were much higher.
Visiting This Unique Spot
Devil's Kitchen is easy to visit. It is part of Mackinac Island State Park. The cave is right along M-185, which is the main road that goes around Mackinac Island. Many people stop here to see the cave and learn about its history.
Local Legends and Its Name
Local stories say that the Native Americans who lived near the Straits of Mackinac believed this cave was a special place. They thought it was home to bad spirits. These spirits were said to cook inside the cave.
To this day, the inside of the cave looks black. People say this blackness is from the cooking fires of these "evil spirits." This is how the cave got its spooky name, 'Devil's Kitchen'. No one knows for sure if these stories are ancient legends or if they started when people began visiting Mackinac Island for fun in the mid-1800s.
