Mackinaw Island Fudge

When you go to Mackinaw Island, Michigan the first thing you can smell when you get off the ferry is the smell of fudge (and horses).  Mackinaw is the land of the fudge industry.  Everywhere you go on the island you will see fudge being made and sold.  Tourists are sometimes called “fudgies” because they love the fudge so much.

The fudge business started in 1887 by Newton Jerome Murdick.  He was a carpenter by trade.  He enjoyed his mothers fudge so much he decided that others would enjoy it too.  He started making and selling the fudge.  It was such a hit that others on the island started making and selling it too.  The island industry had begun.

In 1923 the trademark of “Murdick’s Famous Fudge” was patented.  The Murdick family opened its third venture on the island, a candy store.  The fudge continued to be made on large marble tables. 

In 1959 Harry Ryba starts making his fudge in an open window setting.  This allows tourists to watch the fudge being cooled and gives a close up view of how fudge is made.  In 1996 Harry Ryba dies at the age of 88.  Fudge is now being made in twelve different flavors.

Today you can go to Mackinaw Island and see the same fudge shops that were there many years ago.  As a young child and then as a teen we would make the trip to the beautiful island and enjoy a day of going shopping, riding bikes or just walking around the island.  It gives you a feeling of living in a bygone era.  No cars, or horns honking, just people laughing and having fun.   Fudge is part of that atmosphere.  It is the best I have ever tasted.