Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~BEAVER ISLAND~
The largest island in Lake Michigan...
six miles wide and 13 miles long
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2017.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
The map below shows the location of Beaver Island in relation to the Mainland. The map makes it easier to understand the news articles below that tell of winter travels over the ice from Beaver Island to Cross Village or to Good Hart. Air travel and ferry boat travel exists to Charlevoix because Charlevoix has an airport, and the ferry service ports in Round Lake on the shore of downtown Charlevoix.
25.9 miles > Beaver Island to Cross Village Township
About 18 miles > Beaver Island to Good Hart
About 32 miles > Beaver Island to Charlevoix
25.9 miles > Beaver Island to Cross Village Township
About 18 miles > Beaver Island to Good Hart
About 32 miles > Beaver Island to Charlevoix
North Fox Island
Article Left and Map Above: The article gives the history of North Fox Island in 1959 when two Grosse Pointe, Michigan, brothers, Francis D. Shelden and Alger Sheldon, had purchased the island with plans to build a runway and to develop the then uninhabited island in northern Lake Michigan. The brothers purchased the island from Mrs. Alma Plant of San Diego, California, who had owned it for many years. She had been the widow of J.O. Plank who had owned it for many years as well.
Although the 847 acre island is located 20 miles northwest of the tip of Leelanau County, about 30 miles west of Harbor Springs in Emmet County and 10 miles southwest of Beaver Island which is part of Charlevoix County, it is a part of Leelanau County. North Fox Island is not identified on the map above, but shows on the on-line Mapcarta map section below. Bay Harbor, Michigan, developer and real estate magnate David V. Johnson purchased North Fox Island in 1994 for $1.3 million. The entire island was sold back to the State of Michigan in the year 2000 for $2.2 million. Now the island is operated as part of the "Beaver Islands State Wildlife Research Area". Click HERE for additional information about the research area. |
Squaw Island
(Later called Ojibwa Island)
(Later called Ojibwa Island)
Squaw Island is the northernmost island in the Beaver Island Archipelago. The lighthouse was authorized by Congress on 2 March 1889, but funding was not provided until March of 1891. The island had been purchased from James Donner and Stephen O'Dowd in February 1892. Construction of the lighthouse and keeper's dwelling were described in the 1892 Annual Report of the Lighthouse Board. During its thirty-six years Squaw Island Lighthouse had only two head keepers, William Shields and Owen McCauley, who both were the only survivors of the terrible accident in 1900 described in the 1948 article below. Additional information may be accessed by clicking HERE.
THE BEAVER ISLANDS
(PUBLISHED 1941)
(PUBLISHED 1941)
Ferry Dock Move
~ 1976 AND 2019 ~
~ 1976 AND 2019 ~
The Petoskey News Review reported on 15 March 2019: "Beaver Island Boat Company [BIBCO] proposes to move ferry service." Financing needs to be secured before moving forward with plans to move the BIBCO out of downtown Charlevoix to a new ferry docking area "in the northern portion of the Ferry Beach parking lot that is primarily used for the city boat launch."
~ 1878 AND 2019... 141 Years Later ~
Posted 20 September 2019 by UpNorthLive; Bernie Hellstrom of Boyne City, Michigan,
found the two schooners in the 1878 above article that collided and sank 141 years ago.
Read the on-line article about the discovery by clicking HERE.
found the two schooners in the 1878 above article that collided and sank 141 years ago.
Read the on-line article about the discovery by clicking HERE.
~ 1878 ~
~ 1881 ~
~ 1884 ~
~ 1904 ~
Tracherous Travel to Beaver Island
~ 1884 ~
~ 1884 ~
Article Below: NO fire on the island as reported in the Detroit papers... only a minor forest fire on the island.
Postcard Below Labeled: "Beaver Island Lumber Co. Store Before 1910. Later, McDonough's Market.
~ 1911 ~
~ 1917 ~
Beaver Island and Neighbor High Island
~ 1923 ~
~ 1923 ~
"Want to get away from it all?
VISIT BEAVERS"
This same 1951 headline and article from above
telling of the glories of Beaver Island
are relevant to Beaver Island as viewed in the photos below from a
2018 VISIT BEAVERS.
VISIT BEAVERS"
This same 1951 headline and article from above
telling of the glories of Beaver Island
are relevant to Beaver Island as viewed in the photos below from a
2018 VISIT BEAVERS.
FOUR Photos Above: Alex Childress' additional work also may be viewed at Alex Childress Photo.
~ 1933 ~
Beaver Island Gets Air Mail Again, but with Interruptions...
Beaver Island Gets Air Mail Again, but with Interruptions...
~ 1937 ~
Beaver Island cemetery has many tombstones in memory of fallen sailors.
Beaver Island cemetery has many tombstones in memory of fallen sailors.
~ 1939 ~
Beaver Island Post Cards
Beaver Island Post Cards
~ 1942 ~
600 Foot Freighter Buffington piled onto the rocks at Beaver and was hauled to Harbor Springs...
600 Foot Freighter Buffington piled onto the rocks at Beaver and was hauled to Harbor Springs...
~ 1950 ~
North of Beaver Island... The Lansing Shoals Light
North of Beaver Island... The Lansing Shoals Light
~ 1951 ~
~ 1952 ~
Need a Doctor on the Island
Need a Doctor on the Island
- The state subsidizes the doctor with a $6,500 annual salary.
- The federal government pays a small fee for the care of 20 coast guardsmen on the island.
- The doctor can keep all fees he collects.
Meanwhile, islanders have a medical kit, and take instructions by telephone from Charlevoix doctors for minor ailments.
~ 1953 AND 1954 ~
OLDEST Newspaper Plant in Michigan
OLDEST Newspaper Plant in Michigan
1954 Photo Below:
Ted McCutcheon and Sheldon "Pete" Smith were promoting the
Petoskey to Beaver Island sailing classic... for the big boats in the sloop and schooner class.
Ted McCutcheon and Sheldon "Pete" Smith were promoting the
Petoskey to Beaver Island sailing classic... for the big boats in the sloop and schooner class.
~ 1955 ~
Article Below Left: Preserve Shop for Monument
and
Article Below Right: Girl Scout Trip to Beaver Island with Noted Highlights and Descriptions
Article Below Left: Preserve Shop for Monument
and
Article Below Right: Girl Scout Trip to Beaver Island with Noted Highlights and Descriptions
~ 1955 ~
Beaver Island as an Air Force jet Defense Base Site?
Beaver Island as an Air Force jet Defense Base Site?
~ 1956 ~
Beaver Island Needs a Doctor
Beaver Island Needs a Doctor
~ 1957 ~
Child Dies in Second Lake Plane Crash in Two Weeks
Article and Photo/Map below:
Child Dies in Second Lake Plane Crash in Two Weeks
Article and Photo/Map below:
~ 1957 ~
Article and Photo Below: Beaver Island to Receive Microwave Telephones
Article and Photo Below: Beaver Island to Receive Microwave Telephones
TOP
~ 1959 ~
~ Dan P. Boyle, Beaver Island's oldest resident, Dies ~
1961
1961
~ Mercy Mission for Beaver Island's only Physician's Wife ~
1962
1962
~ Beaver Island Cattle are Hungry ~
1963
1963
~ Beaver Island Get 12 Snowmobiles on Last Trip of the Islander ~
1972
1972
Two Articles Above: The April/May 2014 Beaver Beacon reported on page 36 that the walk again, "for only the third known time in recent history." was made by relatives of the previous 1963 and 1977 walkers. Brothers Andrew and Nicholas Whitley and friend Paul Beauvais achieved the feat the third time. Read about the third time... click HERE.
Harold "Hoot" and Judy Rudolph operated the Beaver Lodge for about three years.
Judy passed in 1987 and Hoot passed in 2023.
Judy passed in 1987 and Hoot passed in 2023.
~ 1978 ~
21 August 2019
Two Photos Below submitted by Pilot and Photographer Charlie MacInnis of Harbor Springs, Michigan
Beaver Island Head Lighthouse
Two Photos Below submitted by Pilot and Photographer Charlie MacInnis of Harbor Springs, Michigan
Beaver Island Head Lighthouse
~ King Strang ~
~ 1904 ~
~ 1937 ~
~ 1941 ~
~ 1977 ~
~1979 ~
"Beaver Island was celebrated as the locality of an independent 'Kingdom,' which flourished for a half-dozen years in defiance of all laws save those of its 'King,' one James J. Strang. He was a mormon, who had quarreled with Brigham Young, at Salt Lake, and came to this island in 1847, where he founded the village of St. James, naming it in honor of himself; and in 1850 he re-organized his followers, forming a church, and established a 'Kingdom,' taking to himself the title of 'King Strang.' His high-handed course, a little less than robbery on land and piracy by sea, led to collisions with the authorities, but by his cunning at argument and debate he managed to evade punishment. The spirit of revenge, however, on the part of some of his victims, let to his assassination in 1856. The conspirators in the affair were formally tried and acquitted, and being residents of the island they returned and drove out all the mormons who would not renounce their religion. The ruins of the 'king's' house, and the picturesque island itself, are attractions for tourists, and an excursion trip by steamer is sure to draw a crowd. The village of St. James is now inhabited principally by Irish Catholics, and its chief industry is that of the fishing trade." ~ Undated HEADLIGHT, a periodical devoted to the interests of railroads and railroad centers.
Article below in two sections... 7 November 1879 ~ Emmet County Democrat:
Account of Beaver Island with interesting 1879 King Strang description...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ Beaver Island Lighthouse ~
1992
1992
~ Beaver Island Lighthouse School ~
The Charlevoix school board approved the purchased agreement for the alternative education site Beaver Island Lighthouse School property in May 2019. The Charlevoix County officials, along with Networks Northwest purchased the Beaver Island school property. The Charlevoix school boards will keep about 3/4 acre on the lake.
21 August 2019
Photo Below submitted by Pilot and Photographer Charlie MacInnis of Harbor Springs, Michigan
Beaver Island Lighthouse
Photo Below submitted by Pilot and Photographer Charlie MacInnis of Harbor Springs, Michigan
Beaver Island Lighthouse
~ North End of Beaver Island ~
2020
2020
Two Photos Below: North End of Beaver Island
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
~ Beaver Island Transportation ~
Emerald Isle
Beaver Island's magazine "Beaver Beacon" has a page of photos of Boats, Ferries, and other Ships.
AT THE WHEEL. Captain Mark Cross is shown at the wheel of the Emerald Isle which was purchased by Islanders to run between St. James and the mainland. (News-Review photo by Jim Doherty)
|
Emerald Isle was in use by Arnold Transit at the Straits from 1962 until 1982.
In 1991 Captain William A. Hoey III purchased the Emerald Isle and renamed her the "Diamond Jack"...
his first vessel in his newly established Detroit River tour company.
In 1991 Captain William A. Hoey III purchased the Emerald Isle and renamed her the "Diamond Jack"...
his first vessel in his newly established Detroit River tour company.
On the 2023 web site for Harbor Princess Cruise, Crusing Little Traverse Bay, the history of the ferry was given as follows: "The first ferry actually built for the Charlevoix to Beaver Island run was the Emerald Isle in 1955 (65’ long, carried 9 cars & 125 passengers). She was built by the Cristie Shipbuilding Co. for the Beaver Island Boat Company. She most recently operated as a tour boat in Detroit (the Diamond Jack). Now back to Northern Michigan, she proudly sails as the Harbor Princess."
Beaver Islander
1963
Beaver Islander leaving Charlevoix for St. James, Beaver Island...
Photo Above: Alex Childress' additional work also may be viewed at Alex Childress Photo.
~ John Roen's Boat Building Company Built the Beaver Islander ~
During the summer of 2018 Linda Balderson, the great-niece of John Roen, along with her daughter and Linda's sister, rode the Beaver Islander from Charlevoix, Michigan, over to Beaver Island. When Linda informed the captain about John Roen, the captain took Linda's picture at the helm. Linda states that John Roen's boat building company had started out in Charlevoix. He relocated the Roen Steamship Company to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
A biography of John Roen is found in The Journal of Beaver Island History, Volume Three, 1988, pages 146-147. Volume 1, 1976. It includes a photograph on page 79 of John Roen helping to build the Schnoden. Another book, titled Roen Steamship Company - The Way It Was, 1909-1976, by John H. Purves, adds some additional information about John Roen. From 1912 to 1915 Roen lived on Beaver Island and built a few boats, the tug Redwing and the Schnoden, in partnership with Gus Mielke. In 1915 he married and moved to Charlevoix, where he built some additional boats and bought a large freighter. In 1932, he moved his operation to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where he founded the Roen Steamship Company and the Sturgeon Bay Shipyard and Drydock. The Beaver Islander was built in 1962 by the Sturgeon Bay Shipyard and Drydock.
Linda Balderson was told the following story... When John Roen built the Beaver Islander, the Beaver Island board went over to Sturgeon Bay to see her being built, and found out they were short on money. So, John Roen asked, "What do you want to do?" The board replied, "We don't have enough money so don't put any windows in the passengers' cabin." John Roen told them that no way was he going to build a boat like that with no windows. He collected an "IOU," put the windows in himself, and waited for payment!
More information about John Roen's association with Sturgeon Bay Shipyard and Drydock company is learned from the obituary of Robert L. Wolter who passed away in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in 2016. Robert Wolter's obituary states: "After returning from the WWII, Robert began work at Sturgeon Bay Shipyard and Drydock Company, which was co-owned by his Father, William Wolter, and Captain John Roen. While employed at the shipyard, he worked in various capacities, including operating the yards’ tugboats – eventually earning his captain’s licenses. His father died in a boating accident in 1950 and his share of the shipyard was sold to Capt. John Roen. Robert continued to work as a tug captain for Roen Steam, ship hauling logs across Lake Superior from Minnesota’s north shore to a mill in Ashland, WI; for Reinhart Krause hauling logs from Chambers Island to Algoma, WI; and for both Bay Shipbuilding Corporation and Selvick Marine. Concurrently, Robert founded Wolter Engraving Service, which is now owned and operated by James and Cindy Wolter."
A Beaver Beacon magazine issue noted: "People were still talking about the wonderful job Gus [Mielke] and his partner John Roen had done building the freight-hauling Rambler."
John Roen was a boat captain and built boats and bought and sold boats. His grandson John Roen Asher is president of Roen Salvage Company in 2019 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Their company even repaired the Petoskey break wall in 2009 (See photos below of 2009 repair). In Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is the John Roen Asher Gallery in the Door County Maritime Museum.
A biography of John Roen is found in The Journal of Beaver Island History, Volume Three, 1988, pages 146-147. Volume 1, 1976. It includes a photograph on page 79 of John Roen helping to build the Schnoden. Another book, titled Roen Steamship Company - The Way It Was, 1909-1976, by John H. Purves, adds some additional information about John Roen. From 1912 to 1915 Roen lived on Beaver Island and built a few boats, the tug Redwing and the Schnoden, in partnership with Gus Mielke. In 1915 he married and moved to Charlevoix, where he built some additional boats and bought a large freighter. In 1932, he moved his operation to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where he founded the Roen Steamship Company and the Sturgeon Bay Shipyard and Drydock. The Beaver Islander was built in 1962 by the Sturgeon Bay Shipyard and Drydock.
Linda Balderson was told the following story... When John Roen built the Beaver Islander, the Beaver Island board went over to Sturgeon Bay to see her being built, and found out they were short on money. So, John Roen asked, "What do you want to do?" The board replied, "We don't have enough money so don't put any windows in the passengers' cabin." John Roen told them that no way was he going to build a boat like that with no windows. He collected an "IOU," put the windows in himself, and waited for payment!
More information about John Roen's association with Sturgeon Bay Shipyard and Drydock company is learned from the obituary of Robert L. Wolter who passed away in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in 2016. Robert Wolter's obituary states: "After returning from the WWII, Robert began work at Sturgeon Bay Shipyard and Drydock Company, which was co-owned by his Father, William Wolter, and Captain John Roen. While employed at the shipyard, he worked in various capacities, including operating the yards’ tugboats – eventually earning his captain’s licenses. His father died in a boating accident in 1950 and his share of the shipyard was sold to Capt. John Roen. Robert continued to work as a tug captain for Roen Steam, ship hauling logs across Lake Superior from Minnesota’s north shore to a mill in Ashland, WI; for Reinhart Krause hauling logs from Chambers Island to Algoma, WI; and for both Bay Shipbuilding Corporation and Selvick Marine. Concurrently, Robert founded Wolter Engraving Service, which is now owned and operated by James and Cindy Wolter."
A Beaver Beacon magazine issue noted: "People were still talking about the wonderful job Gus [Mielke] and his partner John Roen had done building the freight-hauling Rambler."
John Roen was a boat captain and built boats and bought and sold boats. His grandson John Roen Asher is president of Roen Salvage Company in 2019 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Their company even repaired the Petoskey break wall in 2009 (See photos below of 2009 repair). In Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is the John Roen Asher Gallery in the Door County Maritime Museum.
~ Repairing the Petoskey Break Wall ~
Roen Salvage Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
2009
Roen Salvage Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
2009
Motorship - South Shore
Three Photos Below 12 July 2019:
Emerald Isle coming In Pine Channel same day as the Boyne Thunder race boats were in Charlevoix...
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on his
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
Emerald Isle coming In Pine Channel same day as the Boyne Thunder race boats were in Charlevoix...
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on his
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
Photo Below: Emerald Isle leaving Pine River with bascule bridge still up being the boat...
Three Photos Below 20 August 2020: Emerald Isle heading into the Beaver Island Port...
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on his
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on his
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
Four Photos Below 22 August 2020: Emerald Isle In Pine Channel to enter Round Lake at Charlevoix...
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on his
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on his
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".
People Contributing to Beaver Island
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ 1914 ~
~1918~
Helene Aasen emigrated from Norway to Charlevoix, Michigan, in 1916. She married a widower from Beaver Island named Egedieus Larsen at the Lutheran Church in Petoskey on 5 February 1918. E. Larsen was the keeper of the oil supply station for the fish tugs at St. James, Beaver Island. The groom braved a midwinter blizzard while making a 60 miles trip from St. James to Petoskey; via Naubinway, Trout Lake, St. Ignace, Mackinaw City and finally to Petoskey to reach his bride. The 8 February 1918 Petoskey Evening News reported the entire event.
Photo Above: Helene and Egedieus Larsen in front of the Larsen home of Beaver Island, dated 1918-1923. Egedieus died in 1923.
|
~ 1936 ~
~ 1963 ~
~ 1979 ~
~ 2000 ~
On 20 December 2021 TV Channel 7&4 reported:
"End of an era: Beaver Island Ferry Company captain retires after nearly 50 years"
"End of an era: Beaver Island Ferry Company captain retires after nearly 50 years"
Beaver Island Ferry Company's Captain Mike Green who has been part of the crew since the mid-70s is taking his LAST trip at the helm; retiring after 46 years from the Beaver Island Boat Company. The company is waiving the fares for all people traveling to or from the island, a 32 mile journey across Lake Michigan, on Green's last day, in his honor.
On 30 December 2021, The Petoskey News Review's Annie Doyle reported: "The ferries are a lifeline to the island — delivering thousands of tons of goods to islanders and businesses each year. The boats transfer 35,000 people and 6,500 cars to and from the island annually, according to the boat company's website.
The season each year is approximately 225 days long, running from April to December, and during that time Green takes on average 175 trips back and forth between Beaver Island and Charlevoix... Green took over as senior captain in 2018, replacing the retiring Kevin McDonough. Green's replacement is Brian Antkoviak, a captain that’s been with the company for 25 years."
On 30 December 2021, The Petoskey News Review's Annie Doyle reported: "The ferries are a lifeline to the island — delivering thousands of tons of goods to islanders and businesses each year. The boats transfer 35,000 people and 6,500 cars to and from the island annually, according to the boat company's website.
The season each year is approximately 225 days long, running from April to December, and during that time Green takes on average 175 trips back and forth between Beaver Island and Charlevoix... Green took over as senior captain in 2018, replacing the retiring Kevin McDonough. Green's replacement is Brian Antkoviak, a captain that’s been with the company for 25 years."
On 20 August 2022 the Petoskey News Review reported:
"State budgets $14M for new Beaver Island ferry"
"State budgets $14M for new Beaver Island ferry"
The Beaver Island Boat Company will receive a $14 million allocation for a new ferry. Presently, Emerald Isle was built in 1997 for $3.5 million, and the Beaver Islander was built in 1961. Now, it will take an estimated $17.5 million to build the ferry which will take a few years.
Bob Pittman has passed away. He and his wife Betty lived as a "gentleman" on his 20 acre farm on Beaver Island from 1984 until 1994 when they moved to Charlevoix. One of Bob and Betty's granddaughters presently lives on the farm that her grandparents built on Beaver Island.
Read A Child of the Sea and Life Among the Mormons by Elizabeth Whitney Williams... click HERE.
The Beaver Beacon magazine archive provides interesting reading about Beaver Island... click HERE.
Travel Tips for Planning a Trip to Visit Beaver Island may be accessed by clicking HERE.