The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower by the Straits of Mackinac,  five miles (8 km) across at the narrowest, and is connected to it by the Mackinac Bridge at St. Ignace, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
Until the bridge was completed in 1957, travel between the two peninsulas was difficult and slow (and sometimes even impossible during winter).
In 1881, the Mackinac Transportation Company was established by three railroads, the Michigan Central Railroad, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, and the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad, to operate a railroad car ferry across the Straits.
Beginning in 1923, the State of Michigan operated automobile ferries between the two peninsulas.
At the busiest times of year the wait was several hours long.
In winter, travel was possible over the ice only after the straits had solidly frozen.
The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower by the Straits of Mackinac,  five miles (8 km) across at the narrowest, and is connected to it by the Mackinac Bridge at St. Ignace, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Until the bridge was completed in 1957, travel between the two peninsulas was difficult and slow (and sometimes even impossible during winter). In 1881, the Mackinac Transportation Company was established by three railroads, the Michigan Central Railroad, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, and the Detroit, Mackinac and Marquette Railroad, to operate a railroad car ferry across the Straits. Beginning in 1923, the State of Michigan operated automobile ferries between the two peninsulas. At the busiest times of year the wait was several hours long. In winter, travel was possible over the ice only after the straits had solidly frozen.
Upper Peninsula of Michigan