Military Museums and Forts in Michigan

Fort Brady

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

The original Fort Brady, established by Colonel Hugh Brady in 1822, established United States authority over the northern great lakes region. It was abandoned in 1892 and the New Fort Brady was completed in 1893. The New Fort Brady site is now on the campus of Lake Superior State University and has 14 of the original fort buildings repurposed and in use.

Fort Custer

Battle Creek, Michigan

Named in honor of Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer, Camp Custer was established just prior to World War I. It served as an induction and training facility during the course of the war. When the War Department named Custer as a permanent installation, the facility became Fort Custer. The installation grew quite considerably prior to and during U.S. involvement in World War II. The installation is an active military facility and has no public facilities.

Fort Mackinac

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Built during the American Revolutionary War by Britain, the restored fort is part of the Mackinac State Historic Parks and is open to the public.

Fort Michilimackinac

Straits Avenue

Mackinaw City, Michigan

Fort Michilimackinac was built by the French in 1715. After the French and Indian War, the British assumed control of the fort and it remained in service until 1781 when the British consolidated forces at Fort Mackinac. The reconstructed fort is part of colonial Michilimackinac in the Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Historic Fort Wayne
West Jefferson

Detroit, Michigan

Authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1841, Fort Wayne was built to defend against potential British incursion from Canada. The fort, which remained in active service until 1967, is named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, who accepted the surrender of Detroit from the British in 1796.

Fort Wilkins

Copper Harbor, Michigan

Begun in 1844, Fort Wilkins was designed to keep the peace. Although re-garrisoned briefly in the 1860s, the Army abandoned Fort Wilkins only a few years after it was started.