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By now, we are sure you could not stop noticing the complete overhaul of the desktop client in TeamViewer.
We are here to tell you why we improved the design and how can you benefit from it.
The new design condenses and simplifies multiple windows and tools into one easy-to-use, re-sizable client window. This has been achieved as a result of several months of rigorous design iterations, user feedback sessions, and thoroughly tested usability trials.
We are proud to state that at the end of our efforts, we could meet the usability and design expectations of most of our users on the new TeamViewer interface. Other than achieving usability benefits, we also wanted to elevate TeamViewer into a modern, state-of-art contemporary design.
Here's what has changed in the new client:
Instead of multiple windows, you now have one integrated window providing you all the options to take action. Our usability tests revealed that a single integrated window was far more usable than multi-window interface.
The common actions like making Remote Control connections, scheduling Meetings, viewing the Computers & Contacts list and making chat conversations have moved to the left navigation bar.
They are now easily identified by their respective icons. In our usability tests, we found that this is a better design because users can now easily know in which section they are – Remote Control, Meetings, Computers & Contacts or Chat.
If you have been using the older TeamViewer client, the first thing you would have tried to find is the Computers & Contacts window. In the new client, the Computers & Contacts list is not in a separate window but part of the integrated client.
You can view it by clicking on the Computers & Contacts icon in the left navigation bar. The one that looks like a address book.
One feedback we consistently received was that our users always wanted to keep the Computers and Contacts list visible on their computer screen. They did not want to move to another tab when establishing e a remote connection to contacts / devices which were not contained in their list
The good news is that with the new Instant Connect control at the top of the TeamViewer client (see illustration below), you can insert partner IDs to make remote connections without leaving the Computers and Contacts view.
The other enhancement that you would have noticed is a new group in the Computers & Contacts list named Recent Connections. This group lists the devices and contacts with whom you have made any of the following actions:
This is a nice productivity enhancer to quickly make connections from a recently used list instead of searching for the device and contact all over again.
We hope that the new TeamViewer client helps you to enhance your productivity skills and get better at supporting your clients.
By the way, this is also an optional design – if you still feel you want to use the old interface, you can do it by unchecking the Use new interface checkbox in the Options menu.
Credits to the author of this Blog Post: @Ravi
I'm not a fan to be honest, I much preferred the previous look and feel. Since it offers no actual other benefits, it looks like it's just a change for changes sake, either that or someone trying to justify their job role. In addition, having this pushed on us midway through the working day caused no end of issues with my users. Perhaps an option to change it back would be nice, even nicer would have been some notification that the change was going to occur...
Nice work, so I'm curious for the next step of productivity. The beginning of a remote session is not even half of the job. The work of users is done in the remote sessions. There we need another boost of productivity!
I completely agree with you.
BTW you can go back to the old user interface by unklicking "use new user interface" under Extras - Options. (the menue text might be different as I use the german version).
I agree with everyone who hates it. i used every possibility reporting the new interface is **bleep**!
Now u roll out a newsletter where u say 9 of 10 users are satisfied with the new interface....im really sure it is the other way around :)
I'm a corporate customer since Teamviewer 5, and i would say that you take notice of all that comments which will come in here now and think about if this redesign was a complete waste of time!
you should never force your customers on anything...so keep the option with the old interface or im gone!
Liebes Sales Team
Ich habe gerade eine Mail erhalten wie unglaublich toll das neue Interface 9 von 10 Usern finden. Ihr wollt mir die neue Oberfläche «verkaufen», was mir etwas merkwürdig erscheint, denn wäre die Oberfläche gut, bräuchtet ihr diese Mail nicht zu versenden (the dark side of the sales). Wenn sie gut wäre, würde man/ich die neue Oberfläche auch ohne diese Mail adaptieren. Ich nutze Teamviewer, weil es ein gutes Produkt ist, und nicht weil ihr mir was verkaufen wollt.
Ich bin wohl 1 von 10 Leuten, die die Änderung nicht sehr toll finden. Ich stelle mir die Frage, ob eure Aussage valide ist, dass 9 von 10 Leuten zufrieden sind. Wie genau macht ihr da die Auswertung? Nutzen die 90% zufriedenen User Teamviewer genau so wie die 10% unzufriedenen? Ich habe den Tag über etwa 60 Computer online und keiner deren Benutzer nutzt Teamviewer so wie ich. Allein hier ist das Verhältnis 60:1. Ich finde das neue Design schick, keine Frage, aber ist es auch nützlich? Sicherlich ist es super für den 0815 User (eure 9 von 10, meine 59 von 60) mit 1-2 Computern in der Leiste welche die Chatfunktion selten brauche. Natürlich unterstelle ich hier und ich bin sicher nicht der wichtigste Poweruser, aber ich nutze es praktisch täglich, für alle Kunden.
Nur ein paar Beispiele:
Herzliche Grüsse
Definitely not a improvement and it has switched twice on me now without asking for it. Interface is way too busy and smooshed together. Old interface is much more conducive to the large client list i have. I would have rather you worked on a way to share my machine list to my other colleagues in one click rather than having to add my contacts one group at a time! We have the business version so we are being tortured now we all can't log in with the same username and have the license on the machine!
es tut mir wirklich leid sagen zu müssen, dass ich das neue UI nicht gut finde. Ich habe mich bemüht und habe sie damals bei der Version 12 ausprobiert und nach fünf Minuten wieder auf die alte Version zurückgeschaltet.
Wie schon andere hier bemerkt haben, empfand ich es als reichlich unverschämt, dass mit der Version 13 ohne Rückfrage wieder dieses neue UI aktiviert wurde. Sie ist genauso schrecklich zu bedienen wie beim ersten Versuch
dafür erneut 10% Preiserhöhung zu verlangen ist dann der zweite FAIL.
I agree, the new UI is no go!
I`m working as IT-Admin and it is not possible to work with new GUI. Who from TV has this brilliant idea?
It is all in seperate windows and too big. In classic GUI all in one place.
9 of 10 are happy, I do not belieive it, TV should learn to count it right.
And yes, TV, you have spend hours for nothing, accept it and please let the classic GUI on.
Or make it like MS, not hearing your customers and spend money for nothing.
The new interface is horrible. It's for tablets, at best. Multi-site tech support folk like myself woring with two or three monitors at once need the flexibility of the previous interface. I think that TeamView has confused "lack of complant" with "like" in claiming that the new UI is so popular.
I can't believe 9 out of 10 users like it.
It's too big and less intuitive.
I'm still waiting for an option to turn OFF the recent connectons. It drives me mad.
Yes, the option to turn OFF the recent connectons would be great.
TV are readieng this?
I'm going to join the others by saying NO! The new interface is a real pain. What is more, it was not needed in the first place.
Most users of TV will use it for Remote Control - almost exclusively. Some may use it for presentations or communications, but they are mostly not the same people who use it as a remote control tool, so why give us this wonderful way to switch between modes we never switch between?
Searching for a partner ID may be fine if you are managing servers or similar headless devices. For helping users, it's useless since, in the first instance, the user needs to want your support and (at least in my case) to start up their TV, so they would show up on your list anyway.
Another feature, which I've complained about before is the "Recent Connection" which appears - always expanded - at the top of the window. Recent Connections are the ones I don't need to see again just now! It's the actual, live users that I need to see so I can connect to them.
I love TeamViewer, but it is a product which is getting more frustrating all the time with the addition of features that are annoying and counterproductive, so please give us a simple (call it "basic" for all I care) interface and let us get on with our job of using the software rather than fighting it.
Die beste Funktion der neuen GUI, ist diese auszuschalten.
Das 9 von 10 Benutzer die neue Oberfläche gut finden, ist ein Witz. Die Berechnung dürfte wohl so erfolgen, alle welche die neue Oberfläche aktiviert lassen finden diese gut und alle anderen - wie ich - welche diese deaktivieren, müssen anschliessend eine Bewertung und den Grund angeben und gehören zu den 10%. Also für den Normaluser der supportet wird, spielt dies sowieso keine Rolle. Alle Poweruser oder Admins welche das Tool täglich Nutzen, wechseln auf die alte Oberfläche.
Also meine Behauptung ist das 9 von 10 User welche das Teamviewer installiert haben, diese Tool nicht aktiv Nutzen (also supportet werden) und 1 von 10 User, verwenden es täglich aktiv und wechseln auf die alte Oberfläche.
Das Teamviewer die neue Oberfläche breitflächig aktiviert finde ich schlecht, das man dann aber beim wechseln auf die alte Oberfläche noch immer mit einem Bewertungsfenster konfrontiert wird (welches ich sowieso wieder schliesse) finde ich eine Zumutung. .
I must be the 10th user. Also not a fan of the new UI. Among many other complaints, where is the "collapse groups" feature? With the already limited computers & contacts connections window size if I can't collapse all the groups down, it's even harder to find the computer I'm looking for. Make the computer details portion of the window go away or at least give me the option to make it smaller or turn it off completely. If I want to see the computer properties, a right-click isn't that hard. Looks more like an always-on advertisement taking valuable screen real estate to promote TV's other products that I'll never use.
The "remote session" box in the top-right would be useful -- it's 99% of what TeamViewer is used for anyway.
Dear Community members,
Thank you very much for your valuable feedback!
We are always happy to receive feedback on our new features and improvements and I can assure you we are reviewing the comments and statements we get carefully. We always use our users' feedback to improve the user experience of TeamViewer.
The latest change - from multiple windows to the integrated window solution - was implemented to increase usability and make our software future ready for new features to come.
One feedback we have consistently received is that users, especially heavy users, need to have the Computers & Contacts list visible at all times. This is why we introduced the new Instant Connect control in the top menu. Now you will find all in one place and you do not have to leave the Computers & Contacts list anymore if you want to insert a partner ID to connect to a new device.
DomCom, m4Zz, Servolk, BenUK, Telxon
We are continuing to gather and evaluate feedback regarding the need for a fully responsive window size.
m4Zz, BenUK, Servolk, Dunedin,
The Recent Connections list can now be collapsed, so that in this state it does not consume more space than one line.
Since the latest version, the TeamViewer window does not minimize any more when establishing a connection so that you can have the Computer & Contacts list in view at any time.
Best regards,
UX Designer
So I updated to the newest version and still don't see the "collapse groups" feature any more. It's great that I can collapse the recent connections, but I want to collapse all the groups at once instead of scrolling through the entire list collapsing groups as I go. It was in the old interface, I want it in the new one.
Dear Anna,
maybe you overlooked that there can be different sorts of heavy users. I for myself have many entries in the computer list and seldom need to use a new id. Instant connect doesn't help me for my workflow - managing several Teamviewer host installations. Only the Computers & Contacts list is useful, but polluted with that recent list.
Regards, Robert
How do you start a new post!! I cant even figure that out!!
Hi TeamViewer,
I think you are currently running into the trap of applying the Single-Page-Application principle from the web to the desktop environment.
On the desktop you naturally use multiple windows, you can arrange them as you want to get the maximum of your screen space. Think of it as a the "workbench" of a craftsman: he also arranges his tools by himself so that he can be ultra-efficient. I also would like to have this kind of thinking in the TeamViewer-UI.
On a tablet it's different, there you usually use full-screen in one window. So I would like to see an adaptable/customizable TeamViewer-UI, depending on the form factor.
And as one user wrote: the main window is just the start, it's the remote session window where you need to be productive as a supporter. Please also think about improvements there, this is the most important UI in TeamViewer.
The Watcher
Hi Telxon,
thanks for your feedback.
I forwarded your request to the Product management team.
Best regards,
I also think the "collapse all" feature is missed a lot!!
It's frustrating. TV14 is out now and still this unproductive UI, it's just a pain. The 'integrated window solution' is the worst decision TV made in the last years, especially for power users/admins. Computers & contacts is completely unusable like that. Thanks for your valuable feedback but sorry, the main problem cannot be solved...haha. They just don't get it. It's got even worse - new functions (Sub-Grouping (finaly!), Dark Mode) cannot be used in classic mode. Seems TeamViewer is not interested in Pro-Clients anymore.
Exactly! I don't understand, why they don't just add a button in the new Interface "Pop Out Window" and that's it, everyone is happy. And they don't have to maintain two Interfaces. I still wonder which person at TeamViewer wants the new Interface so badly as it is right now, I bet it's not a power user. Also the integrated chat - like already mentioned - is worthless, if the window does not pop up or blinks, so the user on the other side sees that I wrote something. I always have to connect first to the computer, open the customers teamviewer, go into the customers teamviewers chat, and THEN he sees what I have written.
- Thank you for correcting the "minimize window" issue, at least in the "Computers & Contacts" window.
- Instant Connect: is not really an option, if the main window closes after each connect. But I'm happy, that the seperate Window keeps beeing open at all times.
- Dark Mode is only available in the new interface. Well that's annoying.
And not to rant around all the time: I think TeamViewer is still the best remote management software there is, for me, the yearly license is worth a thousand fold. Thank you for your good work everyone. (execpt the stuborn interface guy ;-)
You are right m4Zz, I also think, TV is still the best remote support tool. It's just annoying TV goes the same way like many (still) sucessful companys: They stop listening to their customers or they only hear what they want to hear. Since TV brings new functions only for the new UI, it's clear where it ends: Either you pay for functions you cannot use or you go the way Productmanagement thinks is best for you. And sooner or later there will be no 'back to the classic UI' option. Then you can bite the bullet or change your remote supporting enviroment completly. I hate decisions like that. And I do not like companys bring me in such situations.
The coding rules are so true, Digon.
It seems TV and many software firms make it that way. Good to know.
Did they really deactivate the old mode with the latest update?? Can't even find the option in "Advanced". Now it's getting annoying. Teamviewer, do something.
Well, if the Product managment thinks they are smarter than the customers it's always a loose-loose situation. It's all been said, actually. Had a call with Support and no, there is no way back and they just don't understand....just babbling, you could go crazy.
Since I simply can't trust a company that deals with its customers in this way, that orients itself to some funny trends and sets completely wrong priorities - and doesn't have the balls to admit it - I go the hard way and look for an alternative. **Third Party Product** seems quite suitable, let's have a look. Dozens of clients and servers, boo, but the sooner I don't have to see the TV logo anymore, the better. I'm doing this job for almost 20 years now and it's really going downhill, expertise is no longer in demand, everything has to be dumb-simple and only consumers above everything else.
No thanks.
I don't care about the censoring on the community board.
If I resize the new UI just to let it look like the old computers bar, it uses double as much space in width now. But I will not die because of that.
At least, after connecting, the window does not minimize anymore, that's a HUGE plus.
And I can use dark mode now! Btw: Dark mode still has a white title- and scroll bar. Fix that ;-)
TV is a bit better now, but I'm also happy, that they waited that long before forcing people to switch to the new interface, so they had time to fix bugs, and listen to things people had to say and implementing their ideas.
Still not resolved is the chat function. If I write people messages, they cannot write back, and have to login. So I'm forced to use external communication programs, like WhatsApp, Mail and calls. The chat option does not make any sense. Also they still don't see when I write a message. Also why having two seperate chats? Just use one! From a customer interaction perspective it's a good thing that does not work. Imagine a customer got a presentation in front of thousands of people and suddenly a message pops in front of the PowerPoint slide: "Yow, John, are you there?" "No, sorry, I have a Keynote right now."
Before I was not, but all-in-all I'm happy now. Even with the work-arounds.
Where can I get the previous version? I have already disable the updates.
No more the comfortable, compact GUI with all on one page, only the "new", big, with the tabs, ugly and uncomfy one.
I have found the old version of TV and disable the Updates. So now I can work till they block 14 Version, as they made it with the old ones.
Shame on you Teamviewer team.
I will test the alternatives, and if TV will not hear the customers, will switch all firms which I support to another software.
You should hear the customers(at least commercial ones), but you did not.
This new UI is NOT user friendly. It has been changed to make it look and more user friendly on a tablet which a lot of users don't use
If you want a user friendly tablet verion fine, don't force us PC users to use this horrid UI
Also, I want my Contact List Back I use to have a Conact List I shoudl scroll down and find any PC I want, now I can't find mine.
You don't seem to listen to your customers. Read the above messages and act on them. As a matter of urgency please make the two unwanted bulky columns next to computer list OPTIONAL. These are grossly in the way of day to day use and I can no longer have teamviewer contact list open at the same time as doing anything else. Can't you see how irritating this is? Screen real estate is important to developers, and the previous compact interface is all that people desire, and all the other fancy stuff will never be used.
Hi @Gefferz999,
indeed we listened to all that feedback and are working on concepts to provide solutions to the issue mentioned above.
If you would like to support us in doing user research for a better future product, you can participate in our TeamViewer User Focus Program. for more information, see https://content.teamviewer.com/en/teamviewer-user-focus-program/.
That's it. Ab today TV forces to update the comfy and compact Version to new big Tablet version or it will be not connect to hosts.
**** you TV team and your NOT support. I hope you see that you done, then clients go to another software, as we.
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History of the Straits of Mackinac Region
Mackinaw or Mackinac?
The name Michilimackinac, the place of the "Great Turtle", was first given to Mackinac Island for its shape and was eventually given to the entire Straits of Mackinac region. In time, certainly by the 1820s, it was shortened to simply Mackinac. The founders of Mackinaw City opted for the phonetic "aw" spelling, probably as a way to distinguish their town from Mackinac Island for confused postal carriers.
Today Mackinaw City retains the "aw" spelling while the bridge, straits and island steadfastly cling to the "ac" spelling. No matter how it is spelled, however, it is always pronounced Mackinaw!
Mackinaw City
The Mackinac Bridge
Rising 552 feet (that's 55 stories!) above the Straits of Mackinac, where Lakes Michigan and Huron meet, is the world-famous Mackinac Bridge. Also known as the "Mighty Mac," this engineering marvel is 5 miles long anchor block to anchor block. It held the record as the longest suspension bridge in the world for half a century!
Before the Mackinac Bridge was constructed, travelers between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas had to cross the Straits via an hour-long ferry ride. On busy weekends, like the start of hunting season or the Fourth of July holiday, carloads of anxious travelers would wait in line as long as 24 hours to catch a ferry.
|Total length of bridge
|26,372 ft.
|Length of suspension bridge
|8,614 ft.
|Length of main span
|3,800 ft.
|Height of main towers above water
|552 ft.
|Maximum depth of water at midspan
|295 ft.
|Underclearance at midspan for ships
|155 ft.
|Total length of wire in main cables
|42,000 miles
|Maximum tension in each cable
|16,000 tons
|Weight of cables
|11,840 tons
|Diameter of main cables
|24.5 inches
|Total concrete
|466,300 cu yards
|Total number of steel rivets
Although the bridge was envisioned way back in the late 1800s, Sen. Prentiss M. Brown, Sr., the "Father of the Mackinac Bridge," was the key figure in the bridge construction project. Governor-elect G. Mennen (Soapie) Williams was another strong advocate for the bridge and helped to create the Mackinac Bridge Authority in 1950. The bridge designer was Dr. David B. Steinman and primary construction firms were Merrit-Chapman & Scott and the American Bridge Division of U.S. Steel.
Today, the Mackinac Bridge is hailed as one of the most outstanding engineering achievements of the century and leaves people wondering how Michigan ever got along without it! The 100 millionth crossing of the bridge happened on June 25, 1998.
The construction period: 1954-1957
Because the bridge was in a remote area, financing the project was slow and difficult. The total cost of the project was upwards of $100 million (originally estimated at $70 million).
Construction began in 1954 and during the 42 months that followed hundreds of men worked on the various phases of the bridge construction. The first step was to sink the large, double-walled cylinders that form the bases of the two main tower piers. These cylinders are called caissons (cay-sans). The caissons had to be sunk down into the bedrock on the lake floor, a great challenge for the divers involved. When the foundation pillars were finished, the iron workers were brought in to string the massive cabling network! More than 500 workers were housed in St. Ignace, Mich., during this construction period.
A "catwalk" made of cyclone fence enabled the workers to navigate between the bridge towers, high above the lake below. When finished, the cables were close to 25 inches in diameter. Each cable consists of 340 wires banded into a single strand; 37 strands are then assembled into a single cable. To complete the job and add extra strength, a covering is spun around each finished cable. More than 42,000 miles of wire were used in the two main bridge cables!
The last step was to construct the road surface. The inner lane on the middle span of the bridge includes an open grid riding surface. This was installed to allow wind forces to move through the bridge.
Mackinaw City Attractions
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
Founded in 1889, Old Mackinac Point Light Station was in operation from 1890 until 1957. The lighthouse is located within Michilimackinac State Park, just a few hundred feet east of the Mackinac Bridge and the Colonial Michilimackinac Visitors Center.
The lighthouse is currently open to the public. Continuing restoration of the light station to its 1910 appearance includes the exteriors and interiors of the buildings as well as the grounds. The lighthouse contains the restored keeper's quarters and hands-on exhibits throughout the fully-accessible first floor. Costumed interpreters provide regular tours, including guiding groups up the lighthouse tower.
Access to the historic site is through the station's 1907 Fog Signal building which serves as the admissions point and contains the Lighthouse Museum Store. A wide variety of lighthouse and maritime books and keepsakes are available for purchase. All admission and store sale proceeds are used in the ongoing restoration.
Colonial Michilimackinac
Colonial Michilimackinac, often refered to as Fort Michilimackinac, is a reconstructed 1715 French fur-trading village and military outpost that was later occupied by British military and traders.
In 1761 the French relinquished Fort Michilimackinac to the British who had assumed control of Canada as a result of their victory in the French and Indian War. Under the British, the fort continued to serve as a major fur trade facility. The Ottawa and Chippewa in the Straits area, however, found British policies harsh compared to those of the French and they resented the British takeover. In 1763 as part of Pontiac's Rebellion, a group of Chippewa staged a ball game outside the stockade to create a diversion and gain entrance to the post and then attacked and killed most of the British occupants. The use of Fort Michilimackinac came to an end in 1781 when the British abandoned the post and moved to Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island.
Today, it features re-enactments from British 1770s occupation and the American Revolution era. A National Historic Landmark, Colonial Michilimackinac is accredited by the American Association of Museums.
Historic Mill Creek
As the Straits of Mackinac's first industrial complex, Mill Creek provided sawn lumber for the settlement of Mackinac Island in the 1790s.
Today at the 625-acre state park, you can enjoy an exciting blend of living history demonstrations and nature interpretation along the many scenic trails. Feel the 1790s sawmill rumble as water power drives the blade. Try your hand on the pit saw. Naturalists explain the local flora and fauna.
Downtown Shopping District
Downtown Mackinaw City is known for its Shopping District filled with numerous shops and eateries. You will be sure to find that special souvenier that you are looking for in Mackinac Bay Trading Co., The Mackinaw Crossings, and the shops lining South Huron & Central Avenue.
The Dixie Saloon
Since the near end of the 1800's, the Dixie Saloon has stood as a landmark of the end of the Old Dixie Highway. The Old Dixie Highway ran the complete length of the United States Eastern coastline, stretching from Florida all the way up to Mackinaw City, eventually being replaced by Interstate 75. Travelers started the tradition of celebrating a journey's end with good friends and good drink within the walls of the Dixie Saloon, then known as the Dixie Tavern.
Today the Dixie Saloon continues that tradition of good times and good hospitality inside the newly renovated building. The new all cedar structure is two stories tall, with an inviting open-air interior that spans both stories. Large cedar columns rise from floor to ceiling and the second level offers additional seating and a top-side view of the level below. Those stopping by can enjoy the beauty that the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge have to offer year round through the many windows that encircle the saloon.
The Dixie Saloon is a must see attraction located at the corner of Huron and Central in Mackinaw City, right across from Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry Docks. Sitting in the center of the downtown Mackinaw City shopping district, the Dixie Saloon has become the heart of Mackinaw City's night life offering a menu of Mackinaw's best steaks, ribs, and burgers as well as the largest bar in Mackinaw City. The Dixie has live entertainment on weekends year round, and Karaoke during the week.
Mackinac Bay Trading Co.
The current location of Mackinac Bay Trading Co. has served many purposes over the past century. In the early 1900's Mackinaw City, though a small town, was bustling with activity due to the railroad industry. Nine passenger trains as well as freight trains would arrive and depart daily. Around 1926 the property was owned by the Michigan Central Railroad, the first of the three railroads that formed the Mackinac Transportation Company along with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Railroad Company.
The Michigan Central Railroad leased a small section of the land to Harry Teysen, who opened a small food stand for travelers to the area. Around 1930, Teysen expanded his stand into a full service restaurant.
Around 1945, the Michigan Central Railroad converted the location into the Greyhound Bus House and Teysen chose to move his operation a few blocks to the south. The current location of Nonna Lisa's Italian Restaurant was originally the garage for the bus station and is the only original part of the building. It features Mackinaw's only wood-fired pizza oven, the largest collection of animal furs, and the north's largest stone fireplace and waterfall. Several retailers have occupied the location after that time including Traverse Bay Woolen Company, known for rustic handicrafts and the warm, northern atmosphere of the store.
Mackinac Bay Trading Co. keeps the rustic northern tradition alive today with numerous shops including Woodland Creek Furniture, Devon's Fudge, Mackinac Bay Build Your Bear, & Nonna Lisa's Italian Restaurant, which has a custom made bar of redwood and juniper that has become quite an attraction.
Conkling Heritage Park
Named after Edgar Conkling, founder of Mackinaw City, this park offers free concerts during the summer at the band shell and is one of the best spots to enjoy Independence Day fireworks. With a beautiful view of Lake Huron and Mackinac Island, the park is located adjacent to the Best Western Dockside and across the street from Mackinac Bay Trading Company.
Alexander Henry Park
Alexander Henry Park is located near Colonial Michilimackinac and offers wonderful views of vibrant blue waters of the Straits of Mackinac, the Mackinac Bridge and Mackinac Island. The park features handicapped accessible lakefront walkway and is adjacent to Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. Directly across the street from the Super 8 Bridgeview.
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island visitors arriving by ferry boat will land in historic Haldimand Bay, named in honor of General Fredrick Haldimand who was governor of Canada in 1780 during the American Revolution when Fort Mackinac was built.
Getting Around Mackinac Island
One of the best things that ever happened to Mackinac Island was the automobile ban beginning in 1898. The absence of cars and the resulting benefits, exhaust free air, quaint and narrow village lanes, no auto noise and picturesque horse-drawn carriages, have created a unique, charming and historic ambience.
Most visitors travel by foot power, either by walking or peddling. Many of the islands popular sites, including Fort Mackinac, the village business district, The Grand Hotel, cottages on the East and West Bluffs, and Arch Rock are less than a mile from the Visitors Center.
Mackinac Island is a bike rider's paradise, especially the road around the island. Eight miles in circumference, Lake Shore Boulevard (M-185) is the only state highway where cars are banned! This picturesque route takes riders past Arch Rock, British Landing, and Brown's Brook and provides spectacular views of the shimmering blue waters of the Straits of Mackinac.
Horse-drawn carriage tours of the island's scenic and historic sites are very popular. Other visitors, who prefer a more "hands on" approach, can go horseback riding or rent a drive-it-yourself carriage. Horse drawn taxis are also available for transportation.
A Brief History of Mackinac Island
Mackinac's First People
Great Lakes American Indians were Mackinac Island's first summer visitors. These Woodland-period (1,000 B.C. to 1650 A.D.) people paddled to Mackinac Island every summer to fish for trout, pike, sturgeon, herring, and whitefish. So plentiful were the fish at Mackinac that the native people called these waters "home of the fish".
Early European Settlement
European settlement in the Straits of Mackinac began in 1671 when Father Jacques Marquette established a mission to Huron Indians on Mackinac Island. A year later the mission was moved to the north side of the Straits of Mackinac and, around 1708, to the south shore near present day Mackinaw City. Here, French soldiers constructed Fort Michilimackinac, a strategic depot for the upper Great Lakes fur trade. Michilimackinac remained a French outpost until 1761 when British soldiers took control after their victory in the Seven Years War.
The Revolution at Mackinac
In 1779-1781, during the American Revolution, the British dismantled Michilimackinac and moved the garrison and fur trade community to Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island with its steep limestone bluffs offered a perfect location for the new fort. The fort and island became United States territory as a result of the American victory in the Revolution.
War at Mackinac, 1812-1815
War broke out between the United States and Great Britian in the summer of 1812. Under the cover of darkness British soldiers landed on the north shore of Mackinac Island, dragged their cannon to the high ground behind the fort, took positions in the woods and prepared to attack. American soldiers, completely surprised, quickly surrendered without a fight. Two years later, American soldiers tried to recapture Fort Mackinac but were badly defeated in the only battle ever fought on Mackinac Island.
The Flourishing Fur Trade
By December 1814, the war was over. American peace negotiators accomplished what their troops failed to do, as the peace treaty restored the island and Fort Mackinac to the United States. On Mackinac Island's Market Street, furs were counted, sorted and baled for shipment to the east coast and Europe. Millions of dollars worth of furs passed through Mackinac Island in the 1820's.
Home of the Fish
Commercial fishing replaced fur trading as Mackinac Island's primary industry in the 1830s. The region's waters teemed with a rich bounty of whitefish, lake trout, pickerel and cisco.
A Place of Resort
After the civil war, and expanding railroad system and improved passenger steamships linked urban travelers with the country's rustic vacation spots. Mackinac Island, with its historic charm, scenic beauty and healthy environment, was a natural summer resort. In response to the island's growing popularity, the federal government created Mackinac National Park in 1875. This was America's second national park, established just three years after Yellowstone.
Oh, Fudge!
Two years after the Grand was built, Henry Murdick opened the island's first "Candy Kitchen". By the 1920s fudge became the number one sweet souvenir of Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island. A popular favorite is Devon's Fudge located in Mackinac Bay Trading Company in Mackinaw City.
In 1945, after 115 years of service, the United States Army removed the soldiers from Fort Mackinac. The Federal Government transferred the fort and national park to the state, and Michigan's first state park and the Mackinac Island State Park Commission were created.
Mackinac Island Attractions
Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac served as a military outpost for British, and later, American soldiers from 1780 to 1895. The role of the military on Mackinac Island changed dramatically during the fort's 115 year history. In the early years Fort Mackinac was a crucial Great Lakes border post and its soldiers helped protect the lucrative fur trade and maintain alliances with neighboring Indian tribes. By the late 19th century the post had outlived its military importance but gained new significance when Mackinac National Park was established in 1875.
You can inspect the Fort buildings in any order that you desire. Every building in Fort Mackinac is original, built by the army and used by soldiers over 100 years ago.
The largest building at Fort Mackinac, the Soldier's Barracks (1859) was home to the enlisted men. The Post Commissary (1878) was the warehouse for food supplies. The Post Headquarters (1854) was the administrative center of Fort Mackinac. The Quartermaster's Storehouse (1867) housed supplies, equipment and uniforms used by the soldiers. The Post Bathhouse was one of the last buildings constructed at Fort Mackinac. Constructed in 1885 during a "hygiene fever", the building featured six cast iron tubs and hot and cold running water. The Post Guardhouse (1828) was headquarters for the soldiers assigned to twenty-four hour guard duty and served as a jail for prisoners convicted of crimes or awaiting trial. The Wood Quarters (1816) was used as a soldiers' barracks, officers' quarters, temporary hospital, laundress quarters and storehouse. The Officers' Stone Quarters (1780) is one of the oldest buildings in Michigan, and was often the home of the post commandant. The Post Hospital (1828) is Michigan's oldest hospital building. The Officers' Hill Quarters (1835) was home for two officers and their families. The Post Schoolhouse (1879) provided educational opportunities for soldiers and their children.
McGulpin House
On the east end of Market Street, this is one of this island's oldest structures, dating back to 1780 or earlier.
Dr. Beaumont Museum / American Fur Company Store
This building was the American Fur Company Store selling a variety of general merchandise. Exhibits inside explain a fateful accident that happened at the scene. The Fort Mackinac surgeon's experiments on the patient led to the discovery of enzymes.
Robert Stuart House
Further down market street, past the U.S. Post Office is the Robert Stuart House (1817). Robert Stuart served as the American Fur Company's resident manager and used the house as his home and office.
American Fur Company Warehouse
The American Fur Company Warehouse (1810) is where a small army of clerks processed fur pelts such as mink, muskrat, otter and especially beaver.
Missionary Bark Chapel
Located in Marquette Park. This park is named in honor of Father Jacques Marquette who brought a band of Huron Indians to Mackinac Island in 1671. The Huron had been seeking a home ever since they were driven out of southern Ontario by Iroquois warriors in the 1650s.
Trinity Episcopal Church
This house of worship opposite the bark chapel was built in 1882.
Indian Dormitory
When Great Lakes Indians traded their rights to Michigan lands for annual payments in the 1836 Treaty of Washington, the government agreed to erect a building on Mackinac Island where they could live when they visited the government agent. Two years later the Indian Dormitory was constructed to fulfill this purpose.
St. Anne's Church
Ste. Anne's Roman Catholic Church traces its roots to Marquette's 1671 mission on Mackinac Island. This current structure was built in 1874.
This turn of the century mansion, once the largest summer cottage on the island, is an excellent example of Tudor Revival architecture.
Mission Church
Built in 1829, it is the oldest surviving church building in Michigan.
Skull Cave
Alexander Henry, befriended by Ojibwa chief Wawatam, was hidden in this cave when a successful Indian uprising took place at Michilimackinac on the mainland in 1763. He had spent a very uncomfortable night sleeping on a bed of human skulls. The local tribe used the cave to bury its dead.
Arch Rock
Rising 146 feet above the water, Arch Rock is a natural curiosity which spans fifty feet at its widest point. Geologists explain that the arch was formed over thousands of years of wind and water eroding soft rock below, leaving only the hard breccia rock which forms the arch.
Sugar Loaf
Another famous natural formation, this dramatic breccia mass rises 75 feet above the ground and is the largest of Mackinac Island's limestone stacks.
Governor's Summer Residence
The Governor's Summer Residence was originally constructed in 1902 as a private summer cottage. The residence is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays during the summer.
Hubbard's Annex
This is a community of summer cottages developed in the 1880s at the same time homes along the West Bluff were built.
Scout Barracks
Built in 1934 as a Civilian Conservation Corp. project, the Scout barracks houses Boy or Girl Scouts troops from all over Michigan.
The Battlefield
Americans regretted the loss of Fort Mackinac to the British in 1812. Led by Colonel George Croghan and Major Andrew Hunter Holmes, American invaders came back in force two years later. They landed at British Landing and advanced to the edge of the woods at the north side of the present golf course. After an exchange of gunfire, it became obvious to the Americans that the British and their Indian allies were well entrenched and they retreated back to British Landing.

subset: commoncrawl


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The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved $50.5 billion in long-delayed federal disaster aid to victims of Superstorm Sandy, but not before Republicans flexed their budget-cutting muscle to strike some spending provisions.
The aid package for the storm that ravaged New York and New Jersey coastlines now moves to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where it is expected to win swift passage.
The legislation had been tied up for weeks in the House amid congressional brawling over U.S. deficit reduction, spending and taxes in the New Year's new fiscal drama.
And surprisingly stiff opposition from Republicans in the 241-180 vote foreshadows a tough road ahead for winning House approval of future budget deals over the debt limit and other looming fiscal deadlines.
East Coast politicians abandoned their recently frustrated tone and expressed relief at the House vote.
"The tradition of Congress of being there and providing support for Americans in times of crisis, no matter where they live across this great country, lives on in today's vote in the House of Representatives," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican, said in a joint statement.
The House approved the aid in two parts – $17 billion in funds to cover immediate disaster relief needs and $33.5 billion in longer-term reconstruction funds. The longer-term funds drew more opposition from House Republicans who saw it as loaded with spending that was unnecessary or that would take years to occur.
Republicans managed to whittle the package down slightly by eliminating $150 million in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant money as well as striking $9.8 million for rebuilding seawalls and buildings on uninhabited islands in a Connecticut wildlife reserve.
The House defeated a Republican attempt to require $17 billion in across-the-board spending cuts for fiscal 2013 to pay for part of the aid package.
Republican Representative Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, reflecting strong desire in his party to force spending cuts after accepting higher tax rates on the wealthy, said he did not want to fund the aid with borrowed money.
"It is important to me that this money goes to the folks that need it very badly. It's so important to me that we should pay for it," Mulvaney said in debate on the House floor.
The vote follows Congress' Jan. 4 passage of $9.7 billion in initial funds to keep the National Flood Insurance Program solvent and to pay homeowners' flood claims from Sandy. The funds approved on Tuesday bring total House-approved Sandy aid to $60.2 billion, just shy of earlier proposals.
But the bulk of the federal aid for victims of the Oct. 29 storm that killed more than 130 people and destroyed thousands of homes was tied up in controversy.
House Speaker John Boehner infuriated New York and New Jersey politicians on Jan. 1 when he canceled a vote for a previous, Senate-passed $60.4 billion version of the legislation amid Republican angst over accepting higher tax rates on the wealthy in a deal to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.
The move prompted howls of protest that the largely Democratic East Coast states were being treated much more harshly than the Gulf Coast states that suffered massively from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Just 10 days after that storm, Congress had approved $62 billion in federal disaster aid.
It was clear from House floor debate and public statements that these lawmakers were still steamed about the wait, which they said has delayed reconstruction work.
"The families affected by Sandy are in their hour of need. They have waited far too long for this institution to act," said Representative Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut Democrat.
Noting the current "precarious fiscal times," House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers said the panel had given the legislation "a good scrub and we have adjusted funding levels to make the best use of taxpayer dollars."
Among these changes were elimination of funds for damaged fisheries in Alaska and on the Gulf Coast, as well as cutting funding for other disasters such as western U.S. wildfires.
Representative Jeb Hensarling of Texas, in an opinion piece in the Washington Times, asked whether the bar for disaster funding was continually being lowered.
"As we continue to borrow more than 30 cents on the dollar, much of it from the Chinese, can and should the federal government continue to fund the restoration of private homes, businesses and automobiles?" Hensarling wrote.
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10 things to know about the Eiffel Tower on its 125th birthday
It takes a lot of primping and priming to look good at 125 years old. Just ask the Eiffel Tower, arguably the most recognizable silhouette in the world. It marks the milestone on March 31.
When Gustave Eiffel built the latticed tower for the World Fair in 1889, it was supposed to be a temporary edifice, to be torn down in 20 years.
Today, the iconic French landmark is the most visited, paid monument in the world, attracting more than 7 million visitors a year. Seventy-five percent of them are foreign tourists.
Here are a few fun facts and figures about the Iron Lady:
1. Strange but true: In a commitment ceremony in 2007, an American woman 'married' the Eiffel Tower. Erika La Tour Eiffel (she changed her name) suffers from 'Objectum-Sexual' a condition in which people fall in love with inanimate objects.
2. Aging requires no small amount of cosmetic touch-ups: Every seven years, the Iron Lady undergoes a paint job that requires up to 60 tons of paint to protect her from rust.
3. The Eiffel Tower will shrink and grow by up to 15 cm (6 inches) with the fluctuating temperatures.
4. Every year, the combined distance traveled by the elevator lifts works out to be about 103,000 km a year - or 2.5 times the circumference of the Earth.
5. Technically, it's illegal to publish photos of the illuminated tower at night. Permission and rights must be obtained from the "Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel."
6. The tower is open every day. In a country that shuts down every Sunday, the tower is perhaps the only thing open 365 days a year including Christmas.
7. After the French, Italians, Spaniards and Americans make up the biggest visitors to the Eiffel Tower.
8. The tower has its own YouTube channel.
9. Eiffel paid homage to the great French men of science by engraving the names of 72 scientists, engineers and mathematicians on the four sides of the tower.
10. The nightly five-minute light show, which begins on the hour every hour from nightfall until 1 am, requires 20,000 light bulbs.


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Altuve agrees to four-year extension with Astros
Second baseman is first significant contract commitment for GM Luhnow
HOUSTON -- With the Astros further passing the torch to a new generation of young players by watching Jarred Cosart throw eight scoreless innings in his Major League debut on Friday night, the team is now showing a willingness to spend money.
The Astros announced on Saturday that they had signed popular second baseman Jose Altuve to a four-year contract extension with a pair of option years, marking the team's first significant contract commitment under general manager Jeff Luhnow. The deal was first reported by MLB.com.
The extension begins in 2014 and runs through the 2017 season, and has club options for '18 and '19. Additional terms were not disclosed, but Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported the deal is worth $12.5 million for four years, with the two club options worth $6 million and $6.5 million.
"Jose values security and we value Jose, and it starts with that," Luhnow said. "He's done a terrific job for us ever since getting called up from Double-A two years ago, and he's been a consistent force in our lineup. He just knows how to hit, and he's a good defender at second base. And when you get a player like that who can add value, not only when he's at the plate but on the basepaths, but also when he's out there at second base, those are the types of guys we feel we need to have and have long term. Removing some of the uncertainty for him and for us at this point makes sense."
The Astros are essentially buying out Altuve's three arbitration years (through 2017) and doing it in a relatively cost-friendly manner for the team.
"I'm really happy to be a part of the Houston Astros organization," Altuve said in a statement. "I just want to keep playing hard and help this team win games. I love my teammates and the people of Houston, and I'm going to do everything I can to improve and win baseball games."
Luhnow spent most of his first year on the job trading away players who were in the midst of multi-year contracts in exchange for prospects, as the Astros went full-bore with their plan to rebuild through the Draft and player development. Houston opened this year with a payroll of about $22 million, with Bud Norris ($3 million) as the highest-paid player.
The Altuve deal, which has been in the works for a couple of weeks with talks intensifying in the last few days, means the club is taking the next step in its rebuilding process by locking up some young players it feels will be the foundations of its future. All-Star catcher Jason Castro could fit that mold.
"This won't be the last time we tie up one of our young players," Luhnow said. "In this case, it made a lot of sense, both in terms of timing and length of deal and so forth, but it's something we're going to look at.
"We're going to have a lot of exciting young talent coming through our system and to the big leagues, and once we feel there's enough certainty on our side that the player is going to be around and be able to contribute at the level we need him to for the long haul, we're going to try to get deals done. It eliminates some of the back-and-forth that goes on year in and year out with arbitration, and gives the player some security and gives us some, certainly, to know the player is going to be there for us."
Entering Saturday's game, Altuve leads all Major League second basemen in stolen bases (21) and double plays turned (74) and is hitting .280 with 15 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 28 RBIs. He also ranks fourth among AL second basemen in hits with 99.
He has been a durable performer for the Astros since his Major League debut on July 20, 2011, appearing in 287 games at second base in that span, tying him with the Reds' Brandon Phillips for fifth place in the Majors. Altuve is the youngest everyday second baseman in the big leagues.
In 2012, Altuve became the second-youngest Astros player ever named to an All-Star team at just 22-years-old and was named the Astros Most Valuable Player in 2012 by the Houston Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America after hitting .290 with 34 doubles, four triples, seven homers and 33 stolen bases.
Altuve was the Astros Minor League Player of the Year in 2011, leading all of Minor League baseball with a .389 batting average before being called up to the Majors on July 19 of that season. He was signed by the Astros out of Venezuela as a 16-year-old in 2007.


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The skies of Earth are black with dust and ash. The land is split by gigantic fissures and its tectonic plates groan with stress. Mountain chains shiver; seas have evaporated to become barren deserts. Blood and ash rain from the darkening sky. Astropathic choirs sing evil portents and men go mad with fear.
The fleet of Horus hangs in orbit over the ravaged world. The defenders of Terra stand ready. Brother fights brother, and the universe hangs in the balance.