Skull Cave (Mackinac Island) facts for kids
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Skull Cave
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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 Location in Michigan
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| Location | Garrison Road Mackinac Island, Michigan |
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| Part of | Mackinac Island (ID66000397) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Designated NHLDCP | October 15, 1966 |
Skull Cave is a small, shallow cave found on Mackinac Island in Michigan, United States. It's not a very deep cave, but it has a really interesting history!
Contents
How Skull Cave Was Formed
This special cave was created a long, long time ago. It happened during a period after the last Ice Age, when a huge ancient lake, called Lake Algonquin, covered much of the area. Lake Algonquin was much bigger than today's Lake Huron. The powerful waters of this ancient lake slowly carved out Skull Cave.
A Place of History
Skull Cave is important because of its past. It is believed that Native Americans who lived near the Straits of Mackinac used the cave. They might have used it as a burial site in the 1700s.
Alexander Henry's Story
In 1763, a fur trader named Alexander Henry found himself in a very dangerous situation. He was a survivor of a battle at Fort Michilimackinac. Native Americans had captured the fort during a conflict known as Pontiac's War.
Henry needed a safe place to hide. He found refuge in Skull Cave. He later wrote about his experience in his "Memoirs." He described spending a scary night in the cave, surrounded by bones.
Henry's Discovery
Alexander Henry wrote about what happened when he entered the cave. He said the entrance was about ten feet wide. The back of the cave was rounded, like an oven. There was also a smaller opening he couldn't explore.
He gathered branches to make a bed and wrapped himself in his blanket. He slept until morning. When he woke up, he felt something uncomfortable under him. He moved it and found it was a bone.
At first, he thought it was an animal bone. But when daylight filled the cave, he made a shocking discovery. He realized he had been lying on a pile of human bones and skulls! It was a very surprising and perhaps frightening moment for him.
Visiting Skull Cave Today
Skull Cave is now part of Mackinac Island State Park. You can find it about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) north of Fort Mackinac, deeper inside the island.
The cave was officially recognized as a Michigan Historic Site on January 12, 1959. It even has its own historical marker!
