Was Fudge Created on Mackinac Island?

We know about Mackinac Island fudge.
We’ve all had Mackinac Island fudge.
Many of us go north just for Mackinac Island fudge.

Now the question:
Why does Mackinac Island make so much fudge?

First of all, fudge was not created on Mackinac Island. Legend says an unknown baker accidentally created fudge when he screwed up – or “fudged” - a batch of caramel. Whether that is true or not is up for debate.

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Where was the first place in the U.S. to make fudge?

The first place in the continental United States to have/make fudge was at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1886. It was one of the students – Emelyn Hartridge – who concocted 30 pounds of fudge for an auction after she discovered a recipe.

Who made the first fudge on Mackinac Island?

Although it’s said that the first batch fudge on Mackinac Island was made at the Grand Hotel, history also says the first batch was made by Sara Murdick. According to The 'Gander, she and her family arrived on the island in 1887, and the Murdick men found jobs at the Grand Hotel. Meantime, Sara opened Murdick’s Candy Kitchen downtown and her fudge became an instant hit, replacing the former favorite, maple sugar candies. The fact that the Murdick men worked at the Grand Hotel may have bent the facts a little bit.....just a guess.

With the success of Murdick’s fudge, other entrepreneurs decided to get in on the action and started making fudge, using their own recipes. Now there are 13 fudge shops on the island, with other island shops selling it as well.

As the years went by, Sara’s son Rome came up with the idea of using marble slabs for forming fudge, which also prevented the warm mixture from dripping off onto the floor.

FAST FACTS:
Ten thousand pounds of fudge are made daily
Twenty thousand pounds of sugar are used every week
2010: Mackinac Island set a record for the largest piece of fudge: 5,500 pounds

When the 1960s rolled around, people were already swarming to the island for fudge. With more and more arriving yearly for fudge, the fudge shops began trying out new flavors, much to the tourist’s delight.

So the answer to the question “why do they make so much fudge” is simple: TOURIST DEMAND.