British soldiers built the King’s Storehouse in 1772-73, replacing an old, deteriorating structure. Like its predecessor, the new building housed government supplies and rations. Although the soldiers drew some items from the storehouse, most of these supplies were distributed to visiting Native Americans. Presenting these items in trade or as gifts helped British officers build diplomatic and military alliances with Native groups from around the Great Lakes. British soldiers moved the storehouse to Fort Mackinac in 1781. American troops later used the building as a barracks, the post hospital, a sutler’s store, and a workshop. It was finally torn down in 1827 to make way for a new post hospital.
Archaeologists excavated the storehouse twice: first, in its original location at Michilimackinac in 1959, and in its relocated position inside Fort Mackinac in 1981-82. It was rebuilt at Michilimackinac in 1961.
Today it is home to an orientation movie for the fort: Michilimackinac: Crossroads of the Great Lakes. The movie plays every 20 minutes, starting on the top of the hour.
