This Michigan Island Has Banned Cars Since 1898 to Protect Scared Horses

Mackinac Island, Michigan

In 1898, Mackinac Island did something radical: they kicked out every car, truck, and motor vehicle on the island. What started as a simple ordinance to protect horses and tourists became America’s most famous car-free zone.

Here’s how one small Michigan island stuck to its guns for over a century.

The First Horseless Carriages Arrive

Early automobiles came to Mackinac Island by ferry in 1898, causing immediate problems. The steam engines and gasoline motors made loud backfires and constant rattling that scared the horses. Frightened horses ran through the streets, hurting themselves and damaging carriages.

Carriage Drivers Petition Against Automobiles

In summer 1898, carriage drivers joined forces to protect their jobs and island traditions. They formed an association to stand against motor vehicles.

On July 6, 1898, they gave a petition to the Village Common Council about safety concerns. They warned about dangers to “the lives and property of petitioners and their patrons and to all others who use the streets and roads.”

The Historic July 6, 1898 Village Ban

The Village Council acted quickly after getting the petition. They voted on and passed a ban the same day.

Their resolution simply stated: “the running of horseless carriages be prohibited within the limits of the village of Mackinac.”

This was one of America’s first automobile bans. At first, the ban only covered the village area where most businesses and homes were located. Areas outside the village remained open to motor vehicles.

Earl C. Anthony’s Defiant Locomobile

Summer resident Earl C. Anthony challenged the village ban in 1900. He brought a steam-powered Locomobile to the island, ignoring local rules and driving beyond village boundaries.

While driving through Mackinac Island State Park, Anthony’s noisy machine scared multiple horses. Several animals were hurt trying to run away from the unfamiliar vehicle. Carriage drivers reported damaged carriages after horses bolted and tipped over.

Witnesses described chaos as Anthony drove past tourists on horseback. Park officials recorded each incident, building a case for wider restrictions.

State Park Commission Extends the Ban

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission responded by creating their own ban in 1901. They voted to prohibit automobiles throughout park property. This new rule covered about 80 percent of the island, which had been Michigan’s first state park since 1895.

Combined with the village ban, almost all island roads now banned motor vehicles. Park officials pointed to visitor safety and protecting natural resources as their main reasons. They also mentioned the recent accidents caused by Anthony’s Locomobile to justify the expanded ban.

Park staff began enforcing the rules right away, turning away visitors trying to bring automobiles onto park land.

The 1923 Challenge to the Ban

Twenty-five years after the original ban, a resident questioned if it was legally binding. In 1923, this islander claimed the ban wasn’t proper law and brought a car to the island.

Driving around freely, the resident argued the ban was just a resolution, not an actual law. Other islanders united against this challenge, seeing it as a threat to their way of life.

Large crowds gathered at community meetings demanding stronger legal protection. Island officials realized they needed to make the ban more formal.

After this incident, local government worked to turn the simple resolution into actual law. Residents supported stricter penalties for future violations.

Creation of M-185 Highway

Workers built Lake Shore Road around Mackinac Island between 1900 and 1910. This scenic route followed the shoreline, making a complete loop around the island.

Michigan officially named this road state highway M-185 in 1933 after park officials asked the state for help.

M-185 became the only state highway in America where motor vehicles were prohibited. Road signs showed bicycle and horse symbols instead of standard highway markers.

The Ban Becomes State Law in 1960

Michigan made Mackinac Island’s automobile ban official state law in 1960. This changed a 62-year local tradition into formal state policy. The law allowed exceptions only for emergency vehicles while keeping the general ban.

Police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks could operate when needed for public safety. State funding came with the new law, allowing M-185 to be paved for the first time that same year.

The formerly dirt and gravel road became smooth pavement for bicycles and horses.

Exceptions to the Ban

Mackinac Island keeps just a few emergency vehicles: one police car, one ambulance, and two fire trucks.

These are stored away except during emergencies.

Mackinac does allow some rare exceptions. For example, movie crews got special permission to bring cars for the 1979 film “Somewhere in Time” starring Christopher Reeve. All vehicles were removed immediately after filming ended.

Officials also allowed a 1901 Geneva steam-powered car on the island for the 100th anniversary celebration in 1998. Glenn Miller drove this vintage automobile down Market Street during the events.

In 2019 though, controversy arose when Vice President Mike Pence arrived with an eight-vehicle motorcade.

The First and Only Car Accident

On May 13, 2005, Mackinac Island had its first and only recorded motor vehicle collision. Both vehicles involved were emergency vehicles.

The island’s fire truck and ambulance collided at the Shepler ferry dock while responding to an emergency call. Damage was minor, with only slight impact to the ambulance door.

Before this incident, M-185 was the only state highway in America without a single automobile accident.

Visiting Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is located in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island is accessible year-round, though most visit between May and October when all attractions are open.

You’ll need to take a ferry from either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. Round-trip ferry tickets cost $36 for adults as of 2025, with discounts available for children and seniors.

To get around the island, you need to rent bikes ($12/hour, $40/day) or take a horse-drawn carriage tour ($35 per person). Don’t miss Arch Rock, Grand Hotel’s front porch, and Fort Mackinac’s cannon demonstrations during summer.

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