Back on February 5, 1884, Lansing’s newspaper the “Lansing Republican” reprinted a story from the “Grand Traverse Herald” explained the failure of an experiment to provide year-round boat service across the Straits and that if an east-west route were to ever be established through Michigan a tunnel or bridge would be required. Though its feasibility was not in question, its cost was. In 1883 the dedication of the Brooklyn Bridge encouraged Mackinac Bridge backers. In 1888, the Grand Hotel’s (of Mackinac Island) held their first meeting and even then mentioned how there was a need for a bridge. In 1923 the State Highway Department was ordered to establish a ferry service at the Strait. Within 5 years the ferry traffic became heavy, thereby convincing the governor of Michigan at that time to make a study of the feasibility of a bridge. There was an attempt at getting the ball rolling on this, but it was dropped. And then there were more dropped attempts. Finally, bridge backers swung into action, creating a citizens’ committee to obtain legislation recreating a bridge authority. By 1950 the legislation was enacted, but only to determine feasibility. After lots of studies and haggling back and forth, and in 1954 construction of the bridge began. November 1^st, 1957 the bridge was opened to traffic.

The very first annual Mackinac Bridge Walk started in 1958 with only 68 walkers during the bridge’s dedication ceremony. It was then moved to Labor Day in 1959. During the bridge’s 50^th anniversary in 2007, there were an estimated 60,000 walkers. The record number of walkers was in 1992 with an estimated 85,000 walkers. There have been numerous changes made over the years as to how the annual Bridge Walk is done, especially in recent years due to security.

Personally, I’ve participated in the annual Mackinac Bridge walk a number of times over the years since 2003. In 2004, my then husband-to-be proposed to me right smack halfway through the walk on the bridge. We’ve gone with friends and alone (just the two of us) on this 5 mile walk – some years the weather was hot and other years cool. As scared as I am of bridges, I find this walk to be a fun (albeit slightly scary) experience.

If you’re looking for a Labor Day tradition to start or get back into doing, I highly recommend this annual walk. There are many places to spend the night in St. Ignace, Mackinaw City as well as Mackinaw Island. Of course there are many places to explore and great restaurants satisfying just about any taste nearby as well that you can do, see and eat at. (One year, right after walking the Bridge, we went to Ocqueoc Falls near Rogers City and walked around there, too!!) To find out the latest information on this walk, I highly recommend you visit the Mackinac Bridge Authority. Labor Day, which is when this walk is usually held, falls on September 7th this year (2020). HOWEVER, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this event is canceled for just this year (2020). The Mackinac Bridge Authority’s website also has a section  for area tourism in case you are wishing to explore the area a little beyond just the walk. Just click here for that part of their website.

Maybe one of these years, we shall bump into each other on one of the annual bridge walks!?

Happy walking!