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BEAVER ISLAND

B eaver Island is many things to the few people who know about it. The largest island in Lake Michigan, Beaver Island is also the most remote, inhabited island in the Great Lakes, with a year-round population of about 550 souls. "America’s Emerald Isle" is a quiet and beautiful island today, but boasts a lively and colorful past. In the 1850s, the island was briefly ruled by a polygamous Mormon king and recognized as a principality by the United States Government. Until the king was assassinated, that is! Beaver Island has long been a sacred site for Native Americans, particularly to the Chippewa and Ottawa tribes. Over the years the island provided a great deal of lumber, while its inland lakes and big water offered plentiful fish, for the mostly Irish families who settled here.

Most people say that a trip to Beaver Island is like going back in time. Today, you can swim on undeveloped beaches, stroll through the town of St. James, and hike in the woods or meadows full of wildflowers. Don’t miss a Donegal Bay sunset, a drive to the Beaver Head lighthouse, kayaking in Paradise Bay, counting the stars at night, or chatting with Bill Cashman on the porch at the Old Mormon Print Shop Museum.

And get ready for Open-Mic night at one of the local pubs!

The Beaver Island Historical Society has compiled much of the island’s history and lore on this site, and you’ll find links to island news, information, places of interest, community, reviews, artists and businesses here. You can find additional information via the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce site and at this Wikipedia entry.

BLUEBIRD FARM

T his historic homestead farm is located about three miles from the town of St. James. The house is a restored log home, originally built in the 1850s, and sits on 20 acres, surrounded by woodlands, meadows and apple trees. The roof of the house is fitted with photovoltaic solar panels, which were funded by a grant from the Department of Energy in 1991. The Bluebird farm’s owners, Jennifer Nix and Steve Leonard, bought the house in 2004, with the intent of creating an arts retreat center.

In addition to being the home of the Beaver Island Writers Gathering, the house and property are available for weekly and monthly rentals to individual artists, and for the purposes of creative workshops and retreats. If you’d like to schedule a retreat for the purpose of fine arts, writing, photography, or cuisine, or to receive additional information about the property, please e-mail info [at] beaverislandwriters [dot] org.