One of Michigan's oldest cities, St. Ignace was founded in 1671 when French Jesuit explorer Jacques Marquette established a mission there named for St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits.

What is St. Ignace known for?

St. Ignace has a rich Native American history and was once the bustling hub of 17th century fur trade. ... Today, the people of St. Ignace welcome visitors from all over the world to enjoy the natural beauty, alluring attractions, and friendliness of this uniquely wonderful vacation destination.

Why is St. Ignace important to Michigan?

Ignace serves as a gateway to the state's Upper Peninsula for travellers coming from the Lower Peninsula, as the city is at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge, opposite of Mackinaw City. It has one of two ports which provide ferry service to nearby Mackinac Island.