Dwightwood Spring, Mackinac Island, MI 49757

## Overview Dwightwood Spring is a historic natural spring located on Mackinac Island, Michigan — one of the most iconic and car-free destinations in the Great Lakes region. The spring was named in honor of Dwight Hulbert Wood, the late son of Edwin O. Wood of Flint, Michigan. In 1909, Edwin O. Wood donated funds to develop and memorialize the spring site in his son's memory, making it one of the island's cherished landmarks for over a century. The spring water emerges from Mackinac Island's distinctive limestone bedrock, part of the Silurian-age formations that define much of the island's geology. This limestone is composed primarily of calcium carbonate (calcite) and is classified as a sedimentary rock — formed over hundreds of millions of years as layers of marine sediment were compressed into the beds and strata visible in the island's bluffs and rock formations today. The same geological forces that shaped Arch Rock and Sugar Loaf are responsible for the aquifer that feeds Dwightwood Spring. Historically, islanders and visitors alike relied on springs like Dwightwood as vital freshwater sources. However, the water is no longer considered safe to drink by current water quality standards. A temperature reading of approximately 45°F has been recorded, which is consistent with groundwater-fed springs in northern Michigan. TDS (total dissolved solids) readings have been reported as unclear or inconclusive. ## Directions 1. Dwightwood Spring is located along **Mission Street (M-185)** on Mackinac Island, near the address 1201 Mission Street. 2. From the main ferry docks in downtown Mackinac Island, head northeast along the lakeshore road (M-185), which is the only state highway in Michigan where motor vehicles are prohibited. 3. Continue past Mission Point Resort. The spring is situated along the inland side of Mission Street, roughly a 15–20 minute walk or short bicycle ride from the downtown area. 4. Look for the historic stone or marker structure bearing the Dwightwood Spring name. *Note: Mackinac Island does not allow motor vehicles. Plan to reach the spring on foot, by bicycle, or by horse-drawn carriage.* ## What to Expect Dwightwood Spring sits in a scenic stretch of Mackinac Island along Mission Street, surrounded by the island's lush hardwood forests and historic architecture. The spring itself is a modest but historically significant site, marked by stonework dating to its early 20th-century dedication. The water temperature has been measured at around 45°F, typical of limestone-fed springs in this part of Michigan. While the spring was historically used as a drinking water source by island residents, it is no longer considered potable by modern water quality standards — visitors should treat it as a scenic and historical point of interest rather than a water collection site. Mackinac Island is accessible only by ferry (from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace) and is famously free of automobiles, so the journey to the spring is a pleasant walk or bike ride. The island's flat lakeshore road makes for easy access. Spring and summer are the most popular seasons to visit, though the island is open to visitors from May through October when ferry service is running. The surrounding area offers stunning views of Lake Huron and is close to other geological attractions like Arch Rock and the island's interior trail system.