Winner of the U.P. Notable Books Award (2025)
Join me on a trip to Mackinac Island's past, from the late 1940s to the present day. These are my memories of growing up on the Island, as well as some earthshaking changes that happened to affect everyone: the end of steamship visits, the building of the Mackinac Bridge, the increasing size and speed of passenger ferries, the introduction of new transportation (from 10-speeds to snowmobiles) and much more. On a more personal level, I'll share stories of how I earned my living on the Island, from house painting, cooking and bartending to delivering ferries from the factory. I'll also share my love for music and just plain having fun in rock-and-roll bands. This book includes many of my own photos that allow you to peek behind the curtains of the Jewel of the Great Lakes.
"Finally a book written about the Island, by a man who's lived here his whole life. A true, first-hand account of the history and nuances of Mackinac that cannot be found in any other tome. This is the first of what - I hope - becomes a collection." --Jason St. Onge, Mackinac native, fire chief, councilman and businessman.
"Tom Chambers' lifetime first-hand knowledge of Mackinac Island business history (especially ferries), local characters and fascinating Island lore make him a valued go-to resource for residents, as well as anyone interested in the Island. His deep family ties and experiences growing up and working on the Island always inform any discussion of Mackinac. I learn more about our beloved Island every time we speak." --Marta Olson, Mackinac Island author, Mintaka Designs.
"This is a true, born-and-raised Islander perspective. Teen years on a snowmobile (when no one knew what they were), beach parties with a guitar, bike relays with competitors that turned into friends. An avid photographer and lifelong collector of memorabilia and stories, Tom Chambers has cataloged life on Mackinac for the last 50 years and now has a story, or two, to tell." -- Becki McIntire Barnwell, Islander and former co-owner of Hotel Iroquois.
"I recommend Memories of a Mackinac Island Native for its first-hand account of the author's personal history, because of its remarkable island lore, captivating characters and rich Mackinac Island history. His real-life experiences such as the harrowing time he spent on the Straits of Mackinac II during a storm brought to life the danger that exists when traveling on the Great Lakes." -- Sharon Brunner, UP Book Review
"I found Tom Chambers' detailed recording and history of the development of the ferry service to the island and the names and descriptions of the many ferries that plied the waters of the straits very interesting. His descriptions of how the island's Main Street changed over the years are fascinating. Readers will skip very few chapters" -- Tom Powers, Michigan In Books
From Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com
Tom Chambers was born on Mackinac Island Michigan in 1953. He attended Mackinac Island Public School, and also spent two years at Clearwater Central Catholic High School. He attended North Central Michigan College 1970-72 and Western Michigan University 1973-75. He has spent 70 summers and 51 winters on Mackinac Island. His first job was at the Orpheum Theater, and other jobs included the old Village Inn, Iroquois Hotel, the City of Mackinac Island, Ty's Restaurant, Lilac Tree Hotel, several painting companies and a fudge shop. He has played in two different rock bands, and even delivered ferry boats. Tom counts music, cycling, reading and photography as his hobbies. After a few years in other places, he has resided on Mackinac Island full time since April 1982.
