Mackinac County MI Archives Photo Place.....Ottawa Indian Village October 21, 2007
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Betty Cogan longlakegranny@dishmail.net December 11, 2007, 7:36 am

Source:             Michigan Historical Marker, Gros Cap Cemetery
Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mackinac/photos/ottawain131045gph.jpg
Image file size: 1397.8 Kb

Copied in part from the Gros Cap Cemetery, Mackinac County Michigan
by Mrs. Emerson (Margaret) Smith, St. Ignace, Reprinted from "Michigan 
Heritage", Winter 1961, Volume III No. 2, Kalamazoo, Michigan

The exact date of this cemetery's origin is unknown, but from numerous 
discoveries and all evidence obtainable it is safe to say that it was first 
used by residents of the Ottawa settlement which existed on this shore in the 
17th century.  Gros Cap Cemetery is reputed to the the oldest cemetery in 
continuous use in the United States.  It was undoubtedly one of the largest 
Indian congregations of the Old Northwest and prospered during the early fur 
trapping time.  In recognition of the significant history of the vicinity, a 
marker was erected which can be seen from the highway.  The text of this 
marker was prepared after a long study by the Michilimackinac Historical 
Society.  It reads:

Ottawa Indian Village
Here on West Moran Bay, a large 17th century Ottawa village was directly 
connected by trail and water with Michilimackinac center on Moran Bay, Lake 
Huron.  Both bays were named for Trader Morin whose post was at this 
settlement.  The original burial ground serves the community today.  Erected 
by The Township of Moran, 1960, at the ancient campfire site. (Approved by the 
Michilimackinac Historical Society).  

Apparently Schoolcraft had this old burial ground in mind when he passed the 
area in 1824, and wrote, "We camped in wide sandy bay in the Straits of 
Mackinac.  We found in the sand, stumps of cedar pickets forming an antique 
enclosure which had been founded at the time of the Mission of St. Ignace, 
over 250 years ago".

For many years this burial place was known as the Western Cemetery.  It came 
under township jurisdiction in 1889 when the Moran Township Board organized it 
and placed it under their control.  At the time the plot was narrowed on the 
west side and known graves were reburied within the new confines, leaving some 
unknown to remain in irregular plots outside the borders.  Since then it has 
been necessary to expand the cemetery area, especially on the north and east.



File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mackinac/photos/ottawain131045gph.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/

File size: 2.9 Kb