Charity Island (Michigan) facts for kids
 Charity Island
Location in Michigan
Charity Island (Michigan) (Michigan)
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Saginaw Bay |
| Coordinates | 44°01′53″N 83°26′08″W / 44.03139°N 83.43556°W |
| Area | 0.347 sq mi (0.90 km2) |
| Coastline | 3 mi (5 km) |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State | Michigan |
| County | Arenac County |
| Township | Whitney Township |
Charity Island, also known as Big Charity Island, is the largest island in Saginaw Bay. This bay is part of Lake Huron in Michigan, USA. The island covers about 222 acres (0.90 km2) and has a shoreline of about 3 miles (4.8 km). It belongs to Whitney Township in Arenac County. A unique feature of the island is an 11-acre (0.04 km²) pond, which is like a small lake within the island, fed by natural springs.
Contents
Island Name and History
Sailors gave the island its name because they felt it was placed there "through the charity of God." It sits right at the entrance to Saginaw Bay. Before 1845, the islands were not known as the Charity Islands. Old maps from before 1800 show them without names. An 1839 map called Big Charity Island "Shawangunk" and Little Charity Island "Ile de Traverse."
Nature and Wildlife
Charity Island is mostly covered by forests, especially with many different kinds of hardwood trees. The island's moist climate helps a wide variety of plants grow, including some rare types. Its quiet beaches and special hardwood forest offer a great home for many plants and animals.
Some rare and protected plants found here include:
- Pitcher's thistle
- Large areas of Trillium
- Jack in the Pulpit
- Pink Lady Slippers
The Old Lighthouse
Sailors also know Charity Island for its old lighthouse. The Charity Island Light was built in 1857. It helped guide ships from 1857 until 1930. After that, the Gravelly Shoal Light took its place.
Island Ownership and Protection
In 1987, Charity Island was put up for sale. In 1993, a real estate broker named Robert Wiltse and some other investors bought it. They planned to build 24 large houses there. After taking deposits and building a small harbor, Wiltse changed his mind.
In 1997, he sold most of the island (over 80%) to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This part became an addition to the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) system. This means it is now a protected area for wildlife. A few acres, including the lighthouse, were sold to The Nature Conservancy, a group that works to protect natural areas.
Island Geology and Surroundings
The island has areas of chert, a type of rock. It's believed that Native Americans used to quarry (mine) this rock. South of Charity Island, there are gravel reefs underwater. These reefs create a shallow channel that separates Charity Island from its smaller neighbor, Little Charity Island. The water between these two islands is a popular spot for fishing.
On the northeast side of Charity Island, there's a small bay with a limestone bedrock bottom. This spot is good for boats to anchor safely during storms. The harbor is open to small boats, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages access to protect the island.
Visiting Charity Island
You can take tours of Charity Island, and some companies even offer dinner cruises. These tours often include a visit to the privately owned, rebuilt lighthouse keeper's house. You can also see the Gravelly Shoal Light from a distance. These tours usually leave from Au Gres, Michigan, a town on the mainland south of Tawas.
