CBS Features Mackinac Island, Michigan’s Car-Free Escape

Mackinac Island may be well known here in Michigan for its rich history and as a favorite vacation destination—but now the rest of the country is seeing its timeless charm, thanks to a feature on CBS Sunday Morning.

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CBS Sunday Morning Spotlights Mackinac Island

In a segment called “Go Back in Time on Michigan’s Carless Mackinac Island,” host Michelle Miller explored the island’s unique past with local historians and residents.

She arrived by ferry with Mackinac Island State Historic Parks Director Steve Brisson, who explained how the island was once a major summer fishing ground for Indigenous people. Its name, “Mackinac,” means “Great Turtle,” a nod to the island’s shape.

Ben Janis via Unsplash

The island later became a hub for the fur trade before transitioning into a tourist destination. Brad Chambers of Mackinac Island Carriage Tours shared how his family helped build the island’s hospitality industry, running the first hotel and transporting visitors by horse and buggy.

Why Mackinac Island Banned Cars Over 125 Years Ago

So why are there no cars on Mackinac Island? In 1898, automobiles were just beginning to appear in Michigan—the birthplace of the auto industry. But when one of the first cars brought over to the island backfired and spooked horses, local business owners and carriage drivers quickly petitioned for a ban.

Photo by Emily Studer on Unsplash

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On July 6, 1898, the village council officially prohibited “horseless carriages,” and Mackinac Island has been car-free ever since.

Horse Culture is Central to Mackinac Island

Today, visitors still get around by foot, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage, making Mackinac Island feel like a true escape from modern life. The CBS special also focuses on the hundreds of horses who keep people and goods moving on the island. Hamilton speaks with a veterinarian and the manager of the Grand Hotel stables about the importance of horses to the island and what it takes to care for them.

You can watch the full CBS Sunday Morning segment to see more of Mackinac Island’s story and charm. It originally aired on Sunday, Sept. 28.

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Gallery Credit: Janna