Ever been to the Sacred Rock on the Lake Huron shoreline?

It holds quite a legend...two dead tribe chiefs, flowing blood and sacrifices.

WHAT?

This big ol' rock is a boulder made from Engadine-dolomite, 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and approximately 4-6 feet high. The legend behind the rock goes back a few hundred years. Native American tribes used the rock to mark boundaries between their prospective hunting and fishing grounds. It was also used as a sacrificial altar.

An excerpt written in 1909 by Frederick Denny Larke says: "The chief of...one (tribe) was exceedingly aggressive and frequently trespassed upon the preserves of the neighboring tribe, and, in so doing, had caused much trouble and bloodshed to follow these excursions. At last the chiefs of the two tribes met.....and an altercation ensued which would probably have again resulted in a bloody war between the conflicting tribes, but Kitchie Manitou, the Great Spirit.....became disgusted with both of them, seized hold of the Sacred Rock and hurled it down, crushing both the chiefs beneath its immense weight.....Hence the Rock became an object of worship to the Indian races."

Sounds like Kitchie Manitou was a mite stressed that day.

If you decide to pay a visit, try to go on a day when it rains. The legend also says that when it rains upon the Sacred Rock, the blood of the dead chiefs can be seen on the rock and sometimes flows out from underneath.

The Sacred Rock has been recognized as an historic Michigan site as well as an important archaeological site.

An easy way to visit the Sacred Rock is by going to Cedar Cliff Cottage 6341 Huron Shore Rd., just down the trail from Sacred Rock Cottages, at 6321 Huron Shore Rd. It's 6 miles north of Rogers City and about a half mile north of P.H. Hoeft State Park. Once there, just take a stroll down to the beach and it's right there. You can't miss it.

Go when it rains.

 

 

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