People in this island of Michigan travel only on horse-drawn carriages and bicycles: Here’s why
Before Carl Benz, the famous German engine designer and automotive engineer, came up with his design of a vehicle powered by gas engines, people travelled by horse carriages. Today, the use of horse carriages is almost obsolete everywhere, with a few exceptions. In the machine-driven era that we live in, these carriages only cater to our sense of nostalgia. But there is one location, the Island of Mackinac in Michigan, where horse carriages are still the norm for transport. Yes. But why? It is because this island has banned all automobiles from its roads. Here, they travel by walking, horse-drawn carriages, and bicycles. Now, that’s interesting, isn’t it? Come, let’ find out more about the car ban and other interesting facts surrounding this island.
Mackinac Island revolves entirely on horse carriages!
This island is full of horses! The island’s infrastructure is designed for horse-drawn carriages. So, the streets are narrow. During the tourist season, the island is home to approximately 600 horses. When the season is over, all but about 30 horses are returned to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by boat. They spend the winter there before returning to work in the spring. Even the mail here is delivered by horse-drawn carts!
Why are cars banned?
The automobile ban on Mackinac Island is almost as old as the automobile industry itself, dating back to the early nineteenth century. An integral part of understanding the ban is in knowing that the island is a popular tourist destination because of its numerous historical structures and serene environment. Actually, horse-drawn carriages had already been providing tours of the beautiful island for over three decades before the ban came into place. Since horse carriages were an integral part of the island’s appeal, people were scared when a smattering of motor vehicles first appeared on the island. The villagers were concerned that the noisy contraption would scare away the horses and thus, petitioned the village council to outlaw these dangerous horseless carriages. Village leaders quickly agreed and enacted the ban on 6th July 1898, which is still in effect!
To take it a step further, in 1901, the ban was expanded to include all of the lands in Mackinac Island State Park and the M-185 highway. As a result, the M-185 became the only highway in the United States of America that is closed to cars! To protect the tourism industry, the island also prohibits self-propelled vehicles. Because of the area’s historically significant buildings and monuments, the US government has designated the entire island as a National Historic Landmark.
What is most impressive is that, people strictly adhere to the ban here.
Exceptions to the automobile ban
If you are thinking that the island is devoid of all vehicles owing to the automobile ban, you are wrong. There are a few vehicles that have been exempted from this ban. These include emergency services such as fire departments and police departments. So, you will not find a police officer arriving on horseback at the crime scene. Motorised wheelchairs for the disabled are also permitted on the island. You’ll need a doctor’s note to get that permit though! Golf carts have also made it to the list of exceptions under the condition as they are only used on golf courses and by people who are playing the sport. Additionally, snowmobiles are permitted during the winter season.
Surprisingly, automobiles have been permitted here a couple of times. Yes, filmmakers were allowed to film the late actor Christopher Reeve driving while making the film Somewhere in Time (1980). Another amusing exception occurred when the town brought over a vintage steam-powered car for a quick spin around the island to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the automobile ban. They may have prohibited automobiles, but they certainly did not prohibit humour!