The site is associated with the
Odawa people,[4] who settled in the area around West Moran Bay in the late 17th century.[5] The Odawa village, located on the shore of the bay,[6] had at one time 1500 people living in it,[7] and was connected via a trail to the village to the east where
St. Ignace is now located.[8] A cemetery (now known as the
Gros Cap Cemetery and still in use) was originally adjacent to the tribal village[5] and was used as their burial ground.[9] As more European settlers moved into the area, the Ottawa population decreased due to further emigration or intermarriage with the arriving settlers. However, the cemetery continued to be used by French, English and, eventually, American settlers.[9]
^The NRIS gives the location of the Gros Cap Archaeological District as "Address Restricted". However, multiple sources specify that the Odawa village was on West Moran Bay, and contiguous with the
Gros Cap Cemetery. Geocoordinates given are approximate.
^T. J. Martin (1981), "Animal Remains from the Gros Cap Site: An Evaluation of Fish Scales Versus Fish Bones to Assess the Species Composition of an Archaeological Assemblage", Michigan Archaeologist, 27 (3–4): 77–86
^
ab"Gros Cap Cemetery". Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Archived from
the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
Further reading
T. J. Martin (1981), "Animal Remains from the Gros Cap Site: An Evaluation of Fish Scales Versus Fish Bones to Assess the Species Composition of an Archaeological Assemblage", Michigan Archaeologist, 27 (3–4): 77–86
Susan R. Martin (1979), An Archaeological Site Examination of the Gros Cap Cemetery Area, Mackinac County, Michigan — Phase II, Michigan Technological University
Craig F. Nerm; Charles E. Cleland (March 1974), "The Gros Cap Cemetery Site, St. Ignace, Michigan: A Reconsideration of the Greenlees Collection", Michigan Archaeologist, 20: 1–58
George Quimby (December 1963), "The Gros Cap Cemetery Site in Mackinac County, Michigan", Michigan Archaeologist, 9: 50–57