Mackinac National Park was a
U.S. national park that existed from 1875 to 1895 on
Mackinac Island in
northern Michigan making it the second National Park in the United States after
Yellowstone National Park in the
Rocky Mountains. The park was created in response to the growing popularity of the island as a summer resort. Its creation was largely the result of efforts by
United States Senator Thomas W. Ferry, a native of the island. Senate Bill 28 "to set aside a certain portion of the island of Mackinaw and the straits of Mackinaw, within the State of Michigan as a national park" was introduced December 2, 1874 and signed by the President on March 3, 1875. The national park covered 821 acres while the fort retained 103 acres and the remainder of the island was privately owned.