Sugar Island (Michigan) facts for kids
 Sugar Island
Location in Michigan
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| Geography | |
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| Location | St. Marys River |
| Coordinates | 46°26′N 84°13′W / 46.433°N 84.217°W |
| Area | 49.44 sq mi (128.0 km2) |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State | Michigan |
| County | Chippewa County |
| Township | Sugar Island Township |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 683 |
| Pop. density | 13.8 /sq mi (5.33 /km2) |
Sugar Island is a large island in the St. Marys River. This river forms part of the border between the United States and Canada. The island is located in the state of Michigan, USA.
Sugar Island is part of Chippewa County. It sits at the eastern tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In the year 2000, about 683 people lived on the island. It covers an area of about 49.44 square miles (128 square kilometers).
About Sugar Island
Sugar Island is found between two lakes, Lake George and Lake Nicolet. It is also north of Neebish Island and St. Joseph Island. A smaller island called Pine Island is just east of Sugar Island's southern tip.
You can reach Sugar Island by taking a ferry. The ferry connects the island's northwestern tip to the mainland, east of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Island History
Sugar Island was once part of a disagreement over the border between Canada and the United States. This dispute was settled by a special agreement called the Webster–Ashburton Treaty. This treaty was signed on August 9, 1842. It officially made Sugar Island part of the United States.
In 1945, people even thought about making Sugar Island the main office for the United Nations. The United Nations is a group of countries that work together for peace.
Nature and Land
Sugar Island has many large areas that are still wild and undeveloped. Two Native American groups, the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, have special interests on the island. The Sault Tribe believes Sugar Island is part of their traditional homeland.
The University of Michigan Biological Station manages a large natural area on the island. It is called the Chase Osborn Preserve. This preserve covers about 3,200 acres (13 square kilometers). It is named after Chase Osborn, who used to live on the island and was a governor of Michigan.
Famous People from Sugar Island
- Chase Osborn (1860–1949): He was the Governor of Michigan from 1911 to 1913. He lived on Sugar Island.
