Power Island

Power Island
Power Island
Power Island
Geography
Location Peninsula Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan
Coordinates 44°51′56″N 85°34′37″W / 44.865618°N 85.576930°W / 44.865618; -85.576930Coordinates: 44°51′56″N 85°34′37″W / 44.865618°N 85.576930°W / 44.865618; -85.576930
Area .3125 sq mi (0.809 km2)
Coastline 3 mi (5 km)
Administration
United States
Demographics
Population 1 (in summer)

Power Island (previously known as Marion Island, Ford Island, Round Island, Rennie Island and Bowers Island) is a medium-sized island in Lake Michigan, and it is by far the largest island in Grand Traverse Bay. It is owned by Peninsula Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan. A small island sits a few meters to the north called Bassett Island. The islands were once owned and operated by Henry Ford.[1]

Geography

Power Island is known for being a roughly shaped island. On all sides there is a flatter beach, but internally there is a hill sometimes called "Mount Ford". The land is covered in a maple-beech forest.[2]

Power Island is part of the greater landmass of Old Mission.

Bassett Island

Bassett Island is a small island just a few meters north of Power, connected by a small isthmus. Today, some small campsites are on the island.

History

In prehistoric times, the island is said to have once been part of a landmass before Grand Traverse Bay. This is visible from satellites, as it appears that Suttons Bay was formed from Neahtawanta, and Omena was formed from the rest of the Old Mission Peninsula.

In 1881, Frederick Hall purchased the island and named it Marion Island after his daughter.

Sometime in 1906, someone built a dance hall on Bassett Island, which is occasionally known as the Haunted Island, because apparently the spirit of a beheaded misbehaving Native American woman lived on the island before white settlers.[3]

In 1970, the tugboat The Tramp sunk of the coast of Power Island in 44 feet (13 m) of water.[4]

In 2014, Grand Traverse County decided to start running a ferry service to the island.[5]

Henry Ford era

From 1917 to 1944, the island was owned by Henry Ford. It is rumored that he brought some of his famous friends to the island, including Harvey Firestone, Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth[1] and even three U.S. Presidents. In 1944, the ownership of the island was relinquished to Eugene Power, then The Nature Conservancy, and finally in 1975 to Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation.[5]

Naming

In 1881, the island was named "Marion Island" after the owner's daughter.[3]

In 1917, Henry Ford renamed the island "Ford Island". It is unknown where the name "Bassett Island" came from.

After 1944, the island was called "Rennie Island" named after the new owner Charles Rennie of the Rennie Oil Company. The island eventually became a Nature Conservancy.

In 1987, after the Nature Conservancy gave the island to Grand Traverse County, it was renamed Power Island after Eugene Power.

Today, even though the island's name is officially Power Island, many locals still call it Marion Island or Ford Island. Sometimes, the island is fully known as Bassett Island, not referring to the smaller island to the north.

Recreation

Power Island's waters are locally known for being a clear, Caribbean blue. These make the island a popular fishing, kayaking, swimming, and boating destination. Mount Ford, the hill on the island, boasts a five-mile (8.0 km) hiking and walking path. The island campsite is a popular summer activity. Other popular activities include birding, hunting, nature watching, dog walking, and picnicking.[2]

Boats that go to the island typically leave from either Bower Harbor Marina (in Bowers Harbor, three miles [4.8 km] east) or Clinch Park Marina (in Traverse City, 6.5 miles [10.5 km] south).

References

  1. 1 2 "Power Island: Henry Ford's Playground". Great Lakes Sailing Co. May 27, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Power Island, Bassett Island". Northwest Michigan Parks and Recreation Network. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Kayaking, Kayak Fishing, Standup Paddleboarding, Canoeing". paddling.com. Fusionary Media. December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve". Michigan Preserves. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Now You Won't Need a Boat to Get to Power Island!". July 1, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
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