Before the Bridge: The Ferries of the Straits of Mackinac

Cars line up at the Straits of Mackinac auto ferry dock in the 1950s, awaiting transport between Michigan’s peninsulas before the Mackinac Bridge opened.

Today, driving across the Mackinac Bridge feels routine — but before the bridge opened in 1957, crossing the Straits of Mackinac was a very different experience.

For generations, the only way for people, cars, trains, and cargo to get between Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas was by ferryboat. These ferries weren’t just transportation — they were an essential, often dramatic part of life at the tip of the mitten.

How Did People Cross Before the Bridge?

By ferry! Starting in the late 19th century, private ferry operators (and later the State of Michigan) carried people, wagons, and eventually automobiles across the Straits.

By rail car ferry: The first formal ferry service began in 1881, operated by the Michigan Central Railroad. Specialized ferries like the Chief Wawatam carried railroad cars (and sometimes passengers) across the water.

By automobile ferry: As car ownership exploded in the early 20th century, the need for auto ferries grew. The State of Michigan took over ferry operations in 1923, running a fleet of ferries capable of carrying dozens of vehicles at a time.

What Was It Like to Ride the Ferry?

Ferry crossings became a regular part of Michigan travel — especially during summer vacations and holiday weekends.

On a good day, the ferry crossing between Michigan’s peninsulas took about an hour — just enough time for passengers to stretch their legs, take in the fresh air, and watch the waters of the Straits of Mackinac slide by. But during the busy summer and holiday seasons, getting onto a ferry was an adventure in itself. Lines of cars waiting to board could stretch for miles, with travelers enduring waits of three, six, or even eight hours as they inched toward the dock.

The ferries, sturdy workhorses of steel and steam, braved the unpredictable moods of the Straits — but high winds, dense fog, and ice-choked waters often caused delays or cancellations, turning what was meant to be a simple crossing into a test of patience and endurance.

Popular ferries like the City of Cheboygan and Sainte Marie faithfully carried generations of travelers across the Straits, but it was the impressive Vacationland, launched in 1952, that truly stole the show — a sleek, modern vessel proudly billed as the flagship of the fleet, capable of carrying up to 150 cars on each crossing.

The Enduring Legacy of the Straits Car Ferries

By the 1940s and 1950s, the ferry system simply couldn’t keep up with demand. The postwar boom in car travel meant long waits became common, and ferry operations were expensive and difficult in harsh weather.

The opening of the Mackinac Bridge on November 1, 1957, ended regular ferry service — although the bridge authority kept one ferry ready as a backup during the bridge’s early years.

Today, the legacy of the ferry era is still visible around Mackinaw City and St. Ignace for those who know where to look.

Visitors can walk along the old State Dock in Mackinaw City, where cars once lined up to board the giant ferries, or see the preserved ferry slip at Straits State Harbor. The Mackinaw City Maritime Museum, housed in the former United States Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw (WAGB-83), offers exhibits on ferry operations and shipping history.

In St. Ignace, the Museum of Ojibwa Culture and local historical markers tell the broader story of Straits crossings, from native canoes to the mighty car ferries. Even the broad streets and staging areas that still lead to the water’s edge stand as quiet reminders of the days when ferries were the vital link across Michigan’s peninsulas.

The Straits ferries weren’t just about getting from Point A to Point B. They were part of the adventure — a symbol of Michigan ingenuity and determination to link two peninsulas separated by five miles of often treacherous water.

For generations of travelers, the ferry crossing was an essential, memorable part of “going up north.”

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