Power Island facts for kids
Power Island from the southwest.
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 Power Island
Location in Michigan
Power Island
Location in the United States
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Peninsula Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 44°51′56″N 85°34′37″W / 44.865618°N 85.576930°W |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Grand Traverse Bay |
| Area | 200.04 acres (80.95 ha) |
| Coastline | 3 mi (5 km) |
| Highest elevation | 667.2 ft (203.36 m) |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| Demographics | |
| Population | 1 (in summer) |
Power Island is a cool, medium-sized island in Lake Michigan. It's the biggest island in Grand Traverse Bay. This island is part of Peninsula Township in Michigan. A tiny island called Bassett Island is just north of it. Famous car maker Henry Ford once owned both islands.
Contents
Power Island's Past
Early Days of the Island
The first time Power Island was written about was by Andrew Blackbird. In the late 1800s, Blackbird said there was a small island west of the Old Mission Peninsula. He wrote that the Odawa people first owned the island. Later, it was given to the Ojibwe people to end a disagreement.
Another early mention came from Henry Schoolcraft. He visited the area in 1837. Schoolcraft wrote about Power Island and Bowers Harbor.
In 1850, official maps called the island Island No. 10. In 1852, Orange Risdon surveyed the island. He said it was "nicely placed for a quiet farm." Later, a man named McKinley Wilson became the first European to live there. He stayed for about two years in the early 1850s. In 1854, James Strang, who called himself the "King of Beaver Island", said the island was "beautiful." He also noted it was "large enough for a settlement." After Strang died, some Mormons from Beaver Island moved to Bowers Harbor. This was the closest town to the island.
As more people visited, the island got new nicknames. People called it Hawk Island or Eagle Island. This was because many bald eagles and crows lived there. In the 1860s, the U.S. Government renamed it Harbor Island. Locals also started calling it Hog Island. This was because many pigs from the mainland were brought there to eat plants.
Changing Names Over Time
In 1872, the Hall family from Ionia bought the island. They didn't like the name Hog Island. So, they changed it to Marion Island after their youngest daughter. When Marion Hall Fowler was 38, she became the island's owner.
In 1917, Henry Ford bought the island from Marion. He changed its name again to Ford Island. Henry Ford reportedly invited famous friends to vacation there. These guests included Harvey S. Firestone, Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding, and Theodore Roosevelt.
In 1944, the island was sold to the Rennie family. They owned the Rennie Oil Company. The island was then renamed Rennie Island.
In 1987, the island was given to Grand Traverse County. It became a public park for everyone to enjoy. The island was named Power Island after Eugene Power. He was from Traverse City and visited the island often.
Island Geography
Power Island is about 200 acres in size. It has a unique, somewhat uneven shape. All sides of the island have flatter beaches. However, there is a larger hill in the middle of the island. The land is covered with a forest of maple and beech trees.
Power Island is actually part of the larger land area known as the Old Mission Peninsula.
Bassett Island
Bassett Island is a small island very close to Power Island. It's just a few meters north. When lake levels are low, a small land bridge connects the two islands. Today, you can find some small campsites on Bassett Island. In the past, it was called Squaw Island and the Island of Dread. These names came from a local story about it being haunted by a Native American spirit.
Fun Things to Do
The water around Power Island is super clear, like the Caribbean Sea! This makes the island a great spot for many activities. People love to go fishing, kayaking, swimming, and boating here.
The main hill on the island has a hiking and walking path. It's about five-mile (8.0 km) long. The island campsite is a popular place to stay in the summer. Other fun things to do include birding (watching birds), hunting, watching nature, dog walking, and picnicking.
Boats usually travel to the island from two places. One is Bower Harbor Marina in Bowers Harbor, about three miles [4.8 km] east. The other is Clinch Park Marina in Traverse City, about 6.5 miles [10.5 km] south.
Images for kids
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1873 map of Grand Traverse Bay. Power Island is shown as "Hog Island".
