Michigan Forts

American Forts: East

MICHIGAN

Last Update: 05/JULY/2010

Compiled by Pete Payette - Š2010 American Forts Network

Ontonagon Trading Post
(1808 ? - unknown), Silver City, U.P.
An American Fur Co. trading post located at the mouth of the Iron River.

Fort Wilkins (State Historic Park)
(1844 - 1846, 1867 - 1870), Copper Harbor, U.P.
Located by Lake Fanny Hooe, it was built to protect copper miners from Indians. Discontinued in 1846 but reactivated after the Civil War. Many of the buildings from both periods still survive.

L'Anse Trading Post
(1800 - 1812, 1817 - 1838), L'Anse, U.P.
Originally a North West Co. fur trade post, later an American Fur Co. post.

Big Bay Firing Range
(1952 - 1953), Big Bay, U.P.
A training range for National Guard AA artillery (90mm) was located on Big Bay Point, currently a Coast Guard Reservation with a lighthouse nearby.
(thanks to Mark Morgan for info)

Grand Island Trading Post
(Grand Island National Recreation Area)
(1820's - 1840), Grand Island, U.P.
A North West Co. fur trading post, and later an American Fur Co. post.

Fort de Repentigny
(1751 - 1762), Sault Ste. Marie, U.P.
A French fort located just east of town, built in 1751 to protect the fur trade. The British captured it in 1761, then it was destroyed by fire in 1762. The British continued to occupy this area until 1822. (see also ONTARIO page)

The French may have had a trade post located here earlier in 1670.

Fort Brady
(Lake Superior State University)
(1822 - 1857, 1866 - 1892, 1892 - 1944), Sault Ste. Marie, U.P.
The original U.S. Army log stockade (1822 - 1825) is now gone, once located at present South Street and Ryan Ave.. It was built on the site of the old French Fort de Repentigny. It was originally known as Post at Sault Ste. Marie (1822), Post at St. Mary's (1823 - 1824), and Cantonment Brady (1824 - 1825). Abandoned in 1857 for Fort Snelling, MN, but regarrisoned in 1866. Portions of the original reservation were sold off in 1852 to build the Weitzel Lock and Canal. The remaining portion of the old reservation was sold in 1893. Only a portion of the west wall exists as part of an exhibit along the Historic Locks Park Walkway. The fort was rebuilt closer to town on Ashmun Hill in 1892 and remained active through World War II. Lake Superior State University now occupies most of the former post since 1946. Several original buildings still remain.

ANTI-AIRCRAFT DEFENSES of the SOO LOCKS
This post was the headquarters for the joint Canadian - American anti-aircraft artillery and barrage balloon defenses for the Soo Locks during WWII (May 1942 - January 1944). The U.S. Army's 100th Coast Artillery (AA) employed in various positions twelve 90mm AA guns, thirty-two 37mm AA guns, twelve .50-caliber AA machine guns, and a battery of barrage balloons. Under local American command, the Canadian Army's 40th AA Battery (Heavy) initially employed four 90mm AA guns on loan from the U.S. until their own 3.7-inch AA guns arrived a few months later. A chain of five American-manned early warning air defense radar stations were located in northern Ontario (see also) beginning in August 1942.

Nearby was Camp Lucas, formerly the Army hospital for Fort Brady in WWII, which was used as a Cold War era anti-aircraft artillery site (four 90mm) protecting the Soo Locks from 1951 to 1960. It was finally abandoned in 1962.

The Fort Brady/Camp Lucas Target Range (1895 - 1945, 1951 - 1960) was located near Raco at the site of the Raco Army Airfield. It was sold in 1962.
(Target Range info courtesy of Mark Morgan)

Fort Drummond
(1815 - 1828), Drummond Island, U.P.
Located across the De Tour Passage from De Tour Village on the mainland. The British garrisons from Fort Mackinac and Fort Collyer moved here in 1815. Sometimes referred to as the "Gibraltar of the Great Lakes". The British withdrew in 1828 to Penetanguishene, Ontario when the island was declared to be American territory. However, the United States did not assume legal title of this island until 1922, after discovering that the British never had title to the island. Some remains are located near the memorial plaque.

The British may have previously had an intermittant outpost here between 1761 - 1796.

Fort Collyer
(1812 - 1815), undetermined location, U.P.
A British post established in 1812. The garrison relocated to Fort Drummond in 1815. Possibly located at Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph Island (Ontario), Drummond Island, or on Mackinac Island.

Fort de Buade
(Fort de Buade Museum)
(1681 - 1696), St. Ignace, U.P.
Also called Fort Michilimackinac (1). A French Jesuit mission was established here in 1671, and first garrisoned by troops in 1679. The fort was rebuilt in 1689 after the garrison from Fort St. Joseph (1) transferred here. The garrison was sent to Detroit after the fur market crashed. The mission was abandoned in 1701 after the fort was abandoned. Some earthworks still remain behind Marquette Mission Park on North State Street, although these may be related to the walled Huron Indian village that was here at the time. Admission fee to the museum, located at 334 North State Street.

A French post may have been located here earlier in 1627.

Fort Mackinac
(1780 - 1895), Mackinac Island, U.P.
Pronounced "MACKINAW", and sometimes referred to as Fort Michilimackinac (3). Located on a bluff above the village. The British garrison moved here from Fort Michilimackinac (2) in 1780. The fort became American in 1796, but British forces from Fort St. Joseph in Ontario captured the fort in July 1812. The Americans failed to retake the fort in August 1814. The British moved to Fort Drummond in 1815 after the peace treaty. There are 14 restored (1960's) original buildings, along with original stone ramparts, and three blockhouses. Admission fee.

Fort Holmes
(1812 - 1820's ?), Mackinac Island, U.P.
Built by the British as Fort George, and attacked by the Americans in August 1814, it was renamed when the Americans recovered the island in 1815. It was a two-story log blockhouse and stockade that was destroyed sometime after the war for target practice. It was reconstructed in 1936. Located one-half mile behind Fort Mackinac. The American Fur Company had a trading post here in 1817.

Fort Michilimackinac (2) (State Park)
(1715 - 1780, 1812 - 1815), Mackinaw City FORT WIKI
Originally French from 1715 to 1761 and called Fort St. Philippe de Michilimackinac, it was a palisaded fort with four blockhouses and six guns. The British occupied it in 1761 and abandoned it in 1780. The fort was attacked by Pontiac in 1763 and rebuilt in 1764. The current stockaded fort is a replica (1960's) of the British fort, with 18 reconstructed buildings. Admission fee. Map and Photos from Michigan Interactive

Camp Grayling (State Military Reservation)
(1914 - present), near Grayling
A state guard training area surrounding Lake Margretha. Used as a mobilization center in WWI, and as an infantry training area and airbase in WWII.

Saginaw Bay Posts
(1785 - unknown, 1816 - unknown), Saginaw
An independent British trade post was originally located here.
The American Fur Co. later had a trading post here in 1816.

Fort Saginaw
(1822 - 1824), Saginaw
A stockaded blockhouse with barracks and Officers' quarters. It was abandoned due to malaria. Sometimes referred to as Post of Saguina. A hotel was eventually built on the site, located at Hamilton and Court Streets.

Fort St. Joseph (1)
(1686 - 1688), Port Huron
A French stockaded fort built to protect the fur trade against the British. It was abandoned and burned. The garrison then transferred to Fort de Buade. (NOTE: the "National Atlas of Canada" (1974) shows this post located at Point Edward in Sarnia, Ontario.)

Fort Gratiot
(1814 - 1822, 1828 - 1879), Port Huron
The American stockade fort was in use off and on up through the Civil War. It was later abandoned. The lighthouse was built here in 1825. Pine Grove Park now occupies part of the fort site. Some houses north of the park might be former Officers' quarters.

Fort Sinclair
(1765 - 1785), St. Clair
A British supply post between Forts Detroit and Michilimackinac. The fort was abandoned. Sometimes spelled St. Clair.

Camp Butler
(1861 - 1865), Mt. Clemens
A Civil War training camp.

Fort Detroit (1)
(1701 - 1805), Detroit FORT WIKI
Originally called Fort Pontchartrain du d'Etroit by the French. It was originally a palisaded fort about 200-feet square. The fort and town were enlarged several times in the 1750's. The British gained control in 1760 and renamed it. After Pontiac's attack in 1764, the Citadel was built on the south-west side of the town stockade, just north of present-day St. Anne Street. It included barracks, a guardhouse, and a blockhouse. The town fort/stockade was rebuilt in 1776 with 11 blockhouses and several batteries. The Citadel then included Officers' quarters, a commissary, and other buildings. The main defense of the town was replaced by Fort Lernoult in 1778 (see below). Became American in 1796. The town fort/stockade and the Citadel burned in 1805. The original blockhouse survived. Site of the original fort and blockhouse located south of Jefferson Ave. between Griswold and Shelby Streets. Marker located in parking area beneath the Ponchartrain Hotel, accessible from Larned Street.
See also Pontiac's Seige of Fort Detroit (1763 - 1764) from Detroit News.com

Fort Detroit (2)
(1778 - 1826), Detroit
Originally British Fort Lernoult, which was located uphill from Fort Pontchartrain / Detroit (1), which it replaced as the main defense. Withstood an American seige in 1779. Became American in 1796 and renamed. It survived the devastating 1805 fire. The fort was surrendered to the British in 1812 without firing a shot, but the Americans recaptured it in 1813, and renamed it Fort Shelby. Given to the city in 1826, the fort was destroyed in 1827 as the city began to grow. Marker located at Fort and Shelby Streets.

Fort Wayne
(Save Fort Wayne)
(Historic Fort Wayne Coalition)
(1843 - 1949/1967), Detroit
This dry moated square-bastioned stone fortress, named in 1849, was not completed until 1851, and not garrisoned until the Civil War, at which time it was used mostly as an Infantry enlistment and training center. Officers' quarters were constructed inside the parade in 1847, and enlisted barracks were built in 1850. The Officers' quarters burned down in 1849 and were never rebuilt. The fort was remodeled in the 1860's. Guns were never emplaced, except for a field battery during the Civil War. Several new quarters and barracks, along with the post hospital, guardhouse, bakery, and other buildings, were built around a new parade ground to the south of the old fortress during the 1870's and 1880's. Proposed for closure following WWI, the reservation was regarrisoned in 1928. The Army used the post as a Quartermaster Motor Supply Depot in World War II, and an Ordnance Motor Supply Depot afterwards. The old fortress was turned over to the city in 1949, but the Army remained in the cantonment area for several more years. A four-gun AA battery was briefly located on post in 1955. Located at the foot of Livernois Ave., in the old Spring Wells area along the Detroit River, just north of Zug Island and the mouth of River Rouge. The fort has been closed to the public since 1992 due to lack of funds. Several Woodland Period Indian mounds (circa 750 A.D.) are still located on the cantonment parade ground near the river. Also located here on post are the Great Lakes Indian Museum, and the Tuskegee Airmen Museum. See also Detroit's Fort Wayne Under Siege from Detroit News.com

Detroit Barracks
(1838 - 1851), Detroit
Prior to the construction of Fort Wayne, during border troubles with Canada the Army regarrisoned the area using rented quarters on the lower east-side of town. Also known as Post at Detroit.

Detroit Arsenal
(1837 - 1875), Dearborn
A Federal artillery arsenal. Sold in 1877. Now owned by the Dearborn Historical Museum, with three remaining original buildings, out of 11. The Commandant's Quarters were restored in 1959. Located on Michigan Ave. and Brady Street along the Lower Rouge River.
(thanks to Marshall Sitrin for additional info)

Camp Backus
(1861), Detroit
A Civil War training camp.

Camp Lyon
(1861), Detroit
A Civil War training camp.

Camp Banks
(1862), Detroit
A Civil War training camp.

Grosse Ile Stockade
(1815 - 1819), Detroit
An American stockaded enclosure containing six log barracks and Officers' quarters located on Grosse Ile on East River Road, built during a border dispute with the British concerning this area. It was destroyed in 1819.

Cold War AAA Defenses of Detroit
(1952 - 1959), Detroit area
Several permanent sites were established for the Army's Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) Gun Site Program, the precursor to the NIKE missile defense program. Four 90mm AA guns were positioned at each site, with troop barracks and other support buildings. Known sites include:
Algonac (1952 - 1958): undetermined.
Warren (1952 - 1958): at Ryan and 10 Mile Roads (?).
Hazel Park (1952 - 1956): undetermined.
Ferndale (1954 - 1956): undetermined.
Detroit (1952 - 1955): at Mark Twain and Belton.
Detroit (1953 - 1955): at 6301 West Jefferson Ave..
Fort Wayne (1955): on post.
Park Grove (1952 - 1957): at Crusade and Novara Road.
Algonquin (1955): undetermined.
Dearborn (1953 - 1955): at Greenfield Road and Dearborn Street.
Newport (1955): undetermined.

NIKE missile defense sites are at this time beyond the scope of this website.

Wayne Stockade
(1796 - 1812), Monroe
A stockaded settlers' blockhouse, it was the first American-flagged post in the state. It was burned by the British. Site located near East Elm and North Monroe Aves. American settlement began here in 1793.

Camp Eaton
(Island Lake State Recreation Area)
(1898, 1900), near Brighton
A Spanish-American War state muster camp. Also used by the MI National Guard as a summer encampment site in 1900.

Camp Williams
(1861), Adrian
A Civil War training camp.

Joseph Godfrey's Trading Post
(1821 - unknown), Coldwater
A settlers' trading post was located on the Coldwater River at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Fort (Daniel) Hogan
(1832), Colon
A local militia palisaded earthwork fort built during the Black Hawk War, located at the east end of the Nottawa Prairie. It was abandoned after three days, as there was no real threat to this area.

Camp Smith
(1889), near Battle Creek
A temporary Federal camp located on the shore of a nearby lake.

Fort Custer (State Military Reservation)
(1917 - present), Battle Creek
A National Army cantonment training encampment and demobilization center for the 85th Division, originally named Camp Custer. Most buildings removed in 1921, then reverted to the state and became a training area for the ROTC and CMTC. Used by the CCC after 1933. Federalized again in 1940 and renamed, with much new construction for WWII training. Site of a German POW camp. The U.S. Air Force established a radar site here 1959 - 1969. Most of the original reservation was later acquired by the city as an industrial park and housing area. Since 1968 the remaining post continues to serve the WI National Guard.

Moreau's Trading Post
(1827 - 1836), near Hastings
A settlers' trading post located about six miles northwest of town on Irving Road. Monument (1914, 1966) on site.

Fort St. Joseph (2)
(1697 - 1781), Niles
The French built the fortified trading post to protect a Jesuit mission established earlier in 1691. It became British in 1761. Captured by Pontiac in 1763, but returned to the British in 1764. However, the British did not garrison the fort again until the American Revolution. In February 1781 Spanish troops from St. Louis captured and held the fort for one day. American settlement began in the 1829. No remains, site near the Niles dam on landfill. Marker on Bond Street, north of Fort Street. Of interest in town is the Fort St. Joseph Museum at 508 East Main Street. See also Fort St. Joseph History from Northwest Territory Alliance

Fort Miami
(1679 - 1680's), St. Joseph
A French fort built by explorer Rene Robert Cavelier, sieur de LaSalle. It was a triangular timber fort, about 40-by-80 feet on the defended sides, located by the river. It was later burned down.

William Burnett's Trading Post
(1770's - 1833), St. Joseph
An American settlers' trading post located on the west bank of the river, about one and one-half miles upriver from the mouth. His son James managed the post from 1812 - 1833. Marker located at Langley Ave. and Miller Drive.

Joseph La Framboise's Trading Post
(1800's - 1824), Grand Haven
An independant fur trade post. The owner died in 1809, but the post was continued by his widow until sold in 1824 to the American Fur Company.

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