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Plum Island (Wisconsin) facts for kids

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Plum Island
Plum Island Wisconsin.jpg
Plum Island is located in Wisconsin
Plum Island
Plum Island
Location in Wisconsin
Plum Island is located in the United States
Plum Island
Plum Island
Location in the United States
Geography
Location Door County, Wisconsin
Coordinates 45°18′29″N 86°57′11″W / 45.308132°N 86.953142°W / 45.308132; -86.953142
Area 0.455 sq mi (1.18 km2)
Highest elevation 610 ft (186 m)
Administration
United States
State Wisconsin
County Door County
Town Washington Island

Plum Island is a small island located in Lake Michigan. It's part of Door County, in the state of Wisconsin, U.S.. The island sits off the very end of the Door Peninsula.

Plum Island is a special place because no one lives there. It covers about 1.179 square kilometres (0.455 sq mi) of land. The island is a safe home for many birds. It is managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This makes it part of the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Plum Island also has the Plum Island Range Lights, which are like lighthouses that guide ships. People believe there are around 250 shipwrecks hidden in the waters near the island.

A Look Back: Plum Island's History

Plum Island has an interesting history, especially about its location. The border between Wisconsin and Michigan was once unclear. It was supposed to follow the "most usual ship channel" into Green Bay. However, ships used routes both north and south of Plum Island. This led to a disagreement about which state the island belonged to.

In 1936, the highest court in the U.S., the Supreme Court, made a decision. This decision, called Wisconsin v. Michigan, said that Plum Island and three other islands were officially part of Wisconsin. This finally settled the border question.

Weather on Plum Island

Plum Island has a typical climate for its area. It gets cold winters and warm summers. The island also receives a good amount of rain and snow throughout the year.

Weather chart for Plum Island
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
66
 
-4
-9
 
 
60
 
-8
-10
 
 
62
 
0
-4
 
 
112
 
3
0
 
 
86
 
9
3
 
 
77
 
13
10
 
 
96
 
18
16
 
 
73
 
19
16
 
 
109
 
17
14
 
 
119
 
10
7
 
 
110
 
6
5
 
 
66
 
4
1
temperatures in °C
precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
2.6
 
25
16
 
 
2.4
 
18
14
 
 
2.4
 
32
25
 
 
4.4
 
37
32
 
 
3.4
 
48
37
 
 
3
 
55
50
 
 
3.8
 
64
61
 
 
2.9
 
66
61
 
 
4.3
 
63
57
 
 
4.7
 
50
45
 
 
4.3
 
43
41
 
 
2.6
 
39
34
temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches

Islands Nearby

Plum Island is surrounded by other islands in Lake Michigan. These islands are also part of the beautiful landscape of Door County.

Plum Island Pilot Island Detroit Island and Southern Washington Island Wisconsin
Plum Island is at the lower left. Pilot Island is at the lower right with Detroit Island at center-right and Washington Island in the distance.

Images for kids

  • Plum Island, Door County, Wisconsin, USFWS

    View on the north side of Plum Island

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