Fort Wilkins

Another fort, but this one had some ah-hahs.  Built in 1844 by the Army, intent was to provide military protection for the miners who were streaming into the Upper Peninsula when copper was discovered and many mines were being dug.  Made out of wood, the fort was built in 4 months, the supplies were ferried up and delivered by water, Route 41 had not been built.  A lighthouse was also constructed to aid those ships coming into the harbor and warn them about the shoals.

A couple of the copper mines were still open/gated off

The army had 2 years of active fort duty when it was decommissioned and the men were moved to help with the Mexican disputes near Texas.  A few years later the fort was commissioned again and stayed active until 1870.  Then the fort went into private ownership, was used as a health resort (touting the benefits of cool air and clean cold water), summer retreat, hotel, private, then abandoned until 1927 when the State of Michigan took over ownership and started to rehab the buildings.

Married officer's quarters outside fort - original buildings

How to do the wash

You could almost smell the bread

Of the 27 original structures, 17 still stand today.  The fort is well documented as to what each building's function was, who lived in the buildings, what life was like in a very remote area.  There were young people dressed in period dress and at 2pm, they stood on the parade ground near the flag, read the Declaration of Independence, and then asked everyone there to sing the National Anthem.  Afterwards the reenactors engaged the young kids in games that would have been played 'back then'.

General store inside fort

Surprising the number of outhouses still intact/standing

Attached to Fort Wilkins which is a state park is camping.  We drove through the campground - absolutely packed in like sardines.  Electric available in some sights, not all, no water, there is a dump station available.   We could not visit the lighthouse - it is currently closed to the public because the concession service that provided a boat ride to the lighthouse from Fort Wilkins does not have the contract, and, the ranger that checked us in at the Fort asked if we were interested in the job?
Ah - no.

The small x represent all the copper mines that were operating

Pretty lonely for that one woman