Once the reader is past the part where the French “discovered” the rock, were the first to use it as a navigational tool, and realize its importance in 1749, the article quotes Eric Hemenway about its role in Anishnabek history.
From UpNorthLive.com:
MACKINAW CITY, MI — Now when you think of Thanksgiving and a historical rock, Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts probably comes to mind with its connection to Pilgrims and the landing of the Mayflower, and it could be the most popular rock in America.
But a rock on the shores of the Straits of Mackinac has just as much history, if not a lot more.
This giant boulder on the Straits of Mackinac, just west of Mackinaw City, has a rockin’ history. Its name–McGulpin Rock. It’s something that Sandy Planisek, a member of the Emmet County Historical Commission, said never made this history books because the French discovered it, and much of American history is based on the English and East coast America.
“It’s bigger, it has more historical value, and it’s something people should be aware of,” Planisek said.
Before the English settled on the east coast, French explorers traveled the Great Lakes. In 1615, Etienne Brule was the first believed to cross the Great Lakes, and he took note of McGulpin rock, five years before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth. He wrote Native Americans used the rock as a Navigational tool and to gauge the lakes’ water levels. In 1749, it was mentioned in the first known map of the Great Lakes, and was placed on it as a navigational aide for the French’s Fort Michilimackinac.
“It’s a perfect water level indicator and the people back in 1749 realized that and used it in that way,” said Planisek.
To give you an idea of how enormous McGulpin rock is, I stood next to it. I’m six foot four. The rock towers over me and is as wide as a semi. It’s also about 10 times as big as Plymouth Rock. And if you dig deeper in the history, the boulder dates way back before any European explorers settled in the Americas.
“When the Anishnabek were traveling back and forth, they’d see the rock and know that they were close to home, and you can just imagine, in conditions like this, if you’re traveling in a canoe, you’d want the most visible sign, and this rock would fulfill that,” said Eric Hemenway, an Odawa Historian.
Eric Hemenway, an Odawa historian, says the rock has a rich history with the Native tribes and also is an indicator of the Michigan Native American role in pre-America.
“There’s so much history in the Plains and out west, we like to say, hey, a lot went on in the Great Lakes that had a big influence on American History and this is a big part of it,” said Hemenway.
No, it’s not guarded or encased like Plymouth Rock, nor does it have near the amount of notoriety as the east coast Pilgrim landing marker, but Emmet County is trying to change that. The county is challenging people out east in Plymouth, saying, if you send your visitors here, we’ll send our visitors there. They’re hoping to increase the number of people to come check out this long-lasting piece of history.
Emmet County is working on getting a historical marker for the rock at McGulpin Point.
Last year, about 25,000 visitors visited McGulpin Rock.
They hope this challenge will increase that number.
Turtle Talk 