Draper Island (Michigan) facts for kids
 Draper Island
Location in Michigan
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lac Vieux Desert |
| Coordinates | 46°08′30″N 89°05′06″W / 46.14167°N 89.08500°W |
| Administration | |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Gogebic County |
| Township | Watersmeet Township |
| Demographics | |
| Population | ~10 |
Draper Island is a small piece of land surrounded by water. It is located in the United States, right on the border of Michigan. You can find it in Watersmeet Township, which is part of Gogebic County, Michigan.
Draper Island is special because it's one of only two islands in Lac Vieux Desert that people live on. The other inhabited island is Duck Island, which is in Wisconsin.
Where is Draper Island Located?
Draper Island sits within a large lake called Lac Vieux Desert. This lake is partly in Michigan and partly in Wisconsin. The island itself is entirely within Michigan's borders. It's a quiet spot, perfect for enjoying nature.
What is Lac Vieux Desert?
Lac Vieux Desert is a beautiful lake known for its fishing and natural beauty. It's the source of the Wisconsin River, which is a very important river in the state of Wisconsin. The lake's name comes from French, meaning "Lake of the Old Clearing."
What's in a Name?
Over the years, Draper Island has been known by a few different names. On older maps, you might see it called Koch Island or Oak Island. Locally, some people even called it Rose Island.
However, in 1962, the official name of the island became Draper Island. This decision was made by the Board on Geographic Names Decisions of the U.S. Geological Survey. This group is responsible for making sure places have clear, official names.
