The Tower That Existed for Viewing Mackinac Bridge Construction

The Curio Fair in St. Ignace is a double-treat.

First of all, it’s a wonderful roadside attraction filled with souvenirs and trinkets, toys, postcards, and items handmade by Native Americans. Sadly, shops like this are slowly being eased out year-after-year, but the Curio Shop has retained the public interest – not just because of the merchandise, but there’s something else...

The gift shop also features a tower that goes up 100 steps to the top, giving you a view of the Straits of Mackinac. The tower was built during the 1950s while the Mackinac Bridge was being constructed...its purpose was to give visitors a view of the bridge being built day-after-day.

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The Curio Fair shop was originally the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad depot, which was taken from its original spot within St. Ignace to the current location west of town.

Next time you visit St. Ignace, travel a few miles west on US-2 to Curio Fair, still around at least since the 1950s.