Bois Blanc Island (Michigan)
![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2009) |
Native name: Wigobiminniss [1] | |
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![]() Bois Blanc Island is the largest island on the right. | |
Geography | |
Location | Lake Huron near the Straits of Mackinac |
Coordinates | 45°46′30″N 84°28′44″W / 45.77500°N 84.47889°W |
Area | 34 sq mi (88 km2) |
Highest elevation | 692 ft (210.9 m) |
Administration | |
State | Michigan |
County | Mackinac County |
Township | Bois Blanc Township |
Demographics | |
Population | 100 (2020) |
Bois Blanc Island (/bɔɪz blæŋk/ boyz-blank) is an island in Lake Huron within Bois Blanc Township, Mackinac County, Michigan. The island covers about 34 sq mi (88 km2) and is about 12 miles (19 km) long, 6 miles (9.6 km) wide and has 6 lakes. It lies southeast of Mackinac Island and almost due north of the city of Cheboygan.
"Bois Blanc" is
"Boblo" is an English corruption of the French pronunciation of the name. Several islands with the same name dot the Great Lakes, and nearly all are known as "Boblo" or "Bob-lo" by the local populations.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e0/Juntunen_points.jpeg/220px-Juntunen_points.jpeg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0f/Juntunen_bone_harpoons.jpeg/220px-Juntunen_bone_harpoons.jpeg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/81/Juntunen_bone_awls.jpeg/220px-Juntunen_bone_awls.jpeg)
The island’s Juntunen site excavations have yielded features, human burials, prehistoric artifacts, animal bone, and plant remains.[2]
The excavators recorded 25 stratigraphic layers which represented 6 occupations and 3 phases with 2 intermediate phases where the site was apparently unoccupied for extended periods of time:[2]
- Mackinac Phase, c. 800 A.D. – 910 A.D., occupations A and B, stratigraphic layers I–XIV
- Intermediate I Phase, c. 910 A.D. – 1000 A.D., occupation C, stratigraphic layer XV–XV
- Bois Blanc Phase, c. 1000 A.D. – 1200 A.D., occupation D, stratigraphic layers XVI–XIX
- Intermediate II Phase, c. 1200 A.D. – 1250 A.D., stratigraphic layers XX–XXI
- Juntunen Phase, c. 1250 A.D. – 1400 A.D., occupations E and F, stratigraphic layers XXII–XXV
Excluding the intermediate phases, the sequence is generalized as: Mackinac Phase, c. 800 A.D.-1000 A.D.; Bois Blanc Phase 1000 A.D.-1200 A.D.; Juntunen Phase 1200-1400 A.D.[3]
Bois Blanc was ceded by the local
During the
In 1827, the United States mapped the island. The
Bois Blanc Island was without electric service until 1964, when the Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-Op completed a project to install a continuous 3.7-mile underwater cable from Point Nipigon to Bois Blanc. At that time, there were approximately 200 structures on the island. An electric service upgrade in 1999 replaced the original cable with two submarine cables spanning the Straits of Mackinac.
Transportation
Private and commercial motor vehicles are brought to and from Bois Blanc Island by ferry. There are no paved roads. However, a maintained county road extends from the island's northeast corner to the far western tip. Fire Tower Road bisects the island and is also the route used for public access to Twin Lakes and Lake Thompson, Bois Blanc's largest inland lakes. There are numerous un-maintained roads and trails.
Plaunt Transportation is the sole provider of ferry services for the island. Ferries sail daily when the straits are not frozen over from
The island is served by Bois Blanc Island Airport, a paved landing strip located on the island (Airport Code 6Y1, elev. 664').[8]
During some winters, an ice road is marked by cut evergreen trees, allowing travel over the ice between the island and the mainland. The route generally runs from Pries Landing on the mainland, to Sand Bay on Bois Blanc.
Notes
- ^ A Dictionary of the Ojibway Language by Frederic Baraga, page 32
- ^ a b McPherron, Alan (1967). The Juntunen Site and the Late Woodland Prehistory of the Upper Great Lakes Area. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Anthropological Papers No. 30.
- ^ Mason, Ronald J. (1981). Great Lakes Archaeology. New York, New York: Academic Press, Inc.
- ^ Treaty of Greenville
- ^ "28 Jul 1880, Page 2 - Clearfield Republican at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bois Blanc Island Historical Society
- ^ "Plaunt Transportation Home". plaunttransportation.com.
- ^ Michigan Airport Directory - Bois Blanc
External links
Media related to Bois Blanc Island (Michigan) at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- Bois Blanc Lighthouse
- Bois Blanc Island Ferry Service