The Crazy History of Beaver Island in Lake Michigan | Restless Viking
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- Our first video of Beaver Island and its amazing history.
💬 Let us know what you think of this adventure in the comment section below.
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🎥 Welcome to the Official Restless Viking TH-cam Channel where we peek behind Life's Curtain.
I'm Chuck "the Viking" and Martha "Poppins".
Chuck - I am the former director of the Fortune Bay Expedition Team.
➡️ Today, I am an expedition leader, adventurer, pilot, sailor and explorer. Poppins - I'm an educator, culture junkie and adventurer.
We travel the world less traveled. 🗺️
➡️ We hope to entertain, inspire and share knowledge through travel. We visit "non-tourist" destinations, remote locations and we get there in uncommon ways. 🎯
We'll explore unique and out-of-the-way places, meet others, and share interesting knowledge.
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I went to the Beaver Island Lighthouse school for 2 semesters. It was an interesting program that provided alternative education to many different kids from all over northern Michigan. It was 22 days at the school without leaving, then 3 days back on the mainland, return to school for 22 days, then off for 3 more, then a final 22 days in those cabins. I learned a lot about myself and about the Island when I was there. One spring, there was an amazing ion storm. There were wave after wave of ions cascading across the sky. We all just stood outside in awe and basked in the glory and power of the universe. Beaver Island helped to shape me into who I am today.
It sounds like it was a great program for sure! I would have loved to have gone there.
I did 3 it was the best time of my life.
That's cool!
I can see that occuring. City dwellers know not what they're missing! 💕 I'm never closer to my God than in His creation and away from man's 🥰
That's great to hear the school truly did serve its purpose. We've had property and a get away there for close to thirty years now. (not far from the lighthouse school)
My uncle was born and raised on Beaver Island. I took a couple of trips with him in the 1970's to go check in on his parents. His father, Patrick Bonner, was 92 at the time and played his fiddle for us. Patrick was one of the Beaver Island Fiddlers. It was an amazing sight to behold. Patrick died later that year, and his wife moved to the mainland the following year. Treasured memories.
My father-in-law, Curtis Graham grew up on Beaver Island. I wonder if he knew your family. He died in 1999. His family were commercial fishermen.
Neat story!
We might be related then, 2nd GGM was Bridget Harkins, whose sister Sophia married a Bonner.
I spent half of my high school life on that island 20 years ago. I need to go back.
How do you not have millions of views? This is amazing content!
My late husband took me several times here. What an experience. Its a little expensive having to take the boat across the lake. You will NOT be disappointed.
Well done! Grew up in Petsokey but never managed to make it to Beaver Island. Now live on the Island of Bali dreaming of the Michigan Northkand.
thank you for telling michigans history ❣️
In the 60's and 70's my folks had the little house there on Wicklaw Beach . Unforgettable !!!
Dear Chuck and Poppins. We have flown our planes (Piper Colt recently) into Beaver several times over the years and "borrowed" a car from Mr. Welke and others as well. Thanks for the reminder of how Beaver is such an interesting and friendly destination. Jim and Candy Speerstra.........the rum and Coke at Shamrock ain't that bad either 🙂
I flew in there with some friends in a C172 rented from a FBO in Blaine MN. I did my due diligence and called flight services the day before and all was good. Until we got there and found a dozer on the runway and a big X. As we orbited deciding what we were going to do, my right seat passenger saw somebody in a field waving at us furiously and then pointing. I got down to around 500ft and saw that they were pointing at an obvious grass strip. We landed and had a great weekend and many good chats with the folks.
Cool!
"The Big Rock."
Well, I grew up next to 'Big Lake'. Ah, Michigan, I love you so.
Love the Island. In the 70's we had a family cottage, in Sand Bay..The beach was pristine.. We fished in lake Genasereth, and always caught lotsa fish..The south end of the island was always fun when the wind was up, because we could body surf.. The golf course was all sand, with lotsa snakes.. Archie LeFranier, owned the grocery store, an IGA.. He was also traffic controller for the airport. The Wojans had rental properties, and rented the fishing boats, for the lake This brings back many good thoughts of many good times.. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing history as well!
Wow. I took a vacation here about 12 years ago as of writing this comment and I had no idea that the history was so insane 😳
Thank you both for the history lesson. Great educators and storytellers. Much appreciated ❤
Thanks Shelli!
Dark sky astronomy too, beautiful video, thank you both
Dark sky indeed a very rare commodity these days without lengthy travel.
Thank you.
Great episode. I'm also a Viking! Keep up the great work. And I swear I had a rental car just like that when I first moved to Germany! 😊
Thanks for taking us along to Beaver Island and the education along the way. I’m a true lover of Michigan but I’ve never been there. Michigan as we know is steeped in history. Enjoyed your video!
My first (and so far, only) trip to Beaver Island was July of 2006 with my son and his Scout Troop. We took the Emerald Isle between Charlevoix and the harbor. From there, we hiked down to Bill Wagner Campground. We wondered why it was not named Biting Fly Island, as the black flies were so thick, even swimming out some 30+ yards offshore did not stop them!
On our hike back, we stopped for golf at the Beaver Island Golf Course and even stayed at the "remains" of the old Boy Scout camp along side the 7th fairway. We got to have a shotgun start with a cannon and slept in the open air that night.
Getting back to town, we had a couple hours to burn, so my son and I set off to explore the harbor town. We have some great photos and memories of Beaver Island.
Thank you for showing some of the things we saw and many that we did not get a chance to visit! Looking forward to your return video.
Did you know the Scouts can stay on Mackinac Island?
Ah, yes. Black Flys. The Michigan state bird.
Wonderful history lesson. Thank you.
Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, this was really cool and interesting!! Im going to have to get there this summer!!
I've always wondered what Beaver Island was like. Thank you for the tour.
Plan on taking a trip to Beaver this summer, via my boat, from Charlevoix
Yeah! Great Idea!
@@RestlessViking managed two trips with the boat, once from Charlevoix, and one from Mackinaw city, Wilderness State Park
@@Rev1Kev Excellent!
Would love to hear more on Harrison “Tip” Miller, lighthouse keeper and for whom Millers Marsh was named!
Been to the the island several times. And what an what and.esperience. very rural. My sister in law brought us there. Thats has been where we really to realize what a unique place. This place hold so many historial issues.
I hope you post a separate video just of the interview with Mr. Welke. I'm across the state in Port Huron, and have sailed past Beaver Island when working as 2nd cook on the freighters, but only saw the island in the distance. I recall it being a surprise to see land because I somewhat knew the route was straight up Lake Michigan. We weren't going to be close to the Lower Peninsula shore until the cliffs across from Mother Bear and Cubs islands, but I saw land in the distance before then. Then I remembered about Beaver Island. My traveling days are done, but when I did travel, whether for work or pleasure, my main interest was in taking to the old timer natives of a place. I would be enthralled to hear the Welles talk.
Seconded on the interview!
Smart decision! Seniors have so much depth to tap, we do 😊
I knew a family of Fleury's as as a child.
Jeff, Roger, Kevin, and a sister named Kim❤
You found the train wreck memorial. Awesome. Great video as always. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
Is that memorial hard to find?
In June 1861, American author Henry David Thoreau stopped by Beaver Island. He and a traveling companion, Horace Mann Jr., had spent two months in Minnesota and were on their way back to Massachusetts. They took a northern route home, with a steamship leaving from Milwaukee and crossing Lake Michigan. The ship stopped in Leland to take on wood and water. Then, as Thoreau wrote in his field notebook, "Leave there at noon & steam n & w to Beaver (or Mormon Islands) with its first hut & Mormon homes. Leave there at eve & reach Mackinaw 2 a.m., [June] 30th." The men spent about four days on Mackinac, then crossed Lake Huron to Goderich. From there they took a series of railroads to get home. Thoreau didn't have a chance to write more about this trip. It would have been interesting to hear what he thought of and saw of Beaver Island.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing that knowledge.
#sweet thanks for the share!
That is so interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I was born and raised in Michigan and I have family roots all along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I haven’t lived in Michigan for almost 40 years but I love Michigan history. Great channel!
Thanks! I'm glad you stopped by!
Me too! fully agree great channel
Fuckin a go blue!!
#GoBlue
@@mitrolltv hell to the yeah go blue
Wow, it's hard to believe that a Birch tree could be that old. I've always thought of them as really fragile.
Me too!
I know where I grew up most of them don't live very long because they pretty much all succumb to some disease. Perhaps the diseases that plague the trees aren't on the island?
This was not only a great history lesson but it also brought back a few memories of previous trips that i've taken to Beaver island over the decades. If you want to get away to a clean & quiet place with few distractions, Beaver is definitely the place for you.
I used to go there sometimes because my Aunt & Uncle had a summer cottage in downtown St. James for many years. But around 2002 they decided to move to the Northwest side of the island full time. They then built a beautiful 8500 square foot Bed & Breakfast & named it Deerwood which is still there today. They held on to it for several years and had many guests including the singer Madonna. Well... sort of. She booked her room, flew to the island with her family, took a tour of the lodge & met my relatives. But after seeing how rocky the beaches were, she decided they weren't suitable for her kids to play on. So she wrote them a check , thanked them & left. Haha. Taking care of the massive lodge got to be alot of work for them so they decided to sell it & they now live in a house in Charlevoix. But my cousin Matt has a tug boat that he still often sails up to Beaver. Anyway, i'll definitely be passing this along to them cuz I bet they'll not only know most of the ppl in your video but also get a big kick out of it.
Haha
Madonna should have taken her kids to the beaches on the eastern side of the island - near the CMU Biological Station. I have never seen or felt such amazing sand. It squeaks beneath your feet and is so soft.
Very cool and interesting history I never even heard of. Definitely will have to plan a trip out to Beaver Island!! Thank you!!
We sail to Beaver Island nearly every year. It indeed is a colorful place! Our daughter grew up taking trips there. We have photos of her scrambling up to the top of the big rock, climbing the lighthouse stairs and playing in the sand at Donegal Bay. Each evening we would take a walk from the marina to Daddy Franks for ice cream. She is in college now but still enjoys going there. Now, as parents, we have a gathering place as well. It has become a tradition to venture over to Whiskey Point Brewing at 5:00 for a cold beer each day. You never know who you're going to meet there. Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the kindest soul on the island. Mary. who owns the toy museum, is the most wonderful person you will ever meet. She's like every child's grandma. There is every trinket you could ever want inside that little house! But I would discourage you from going to Beaver Island because there is nothing to do there. 😉
"But I would discourage you from going to Beaver Island because there is nothing to do there."
Sounds like exactly the place I want to visit.
@@NorthernKitty Oh no, you really don't want to go it's dreadful! 😆
But if you do go, treat yourself to dinner at the Lodge outdoors on the patio for the best view of any restaurant you've ever been to. But don't tell anyone okay?
Sounds good to me!! Lived here most all my life (Detroit Metro) but never been!! 💕
@@falconquest2068Sounds dreadfully wonderful.
Just bought land out there and will be camping mid may. I absolutely love that place.
Stop on by..we just bought Thomas's log home on mrs. Redding trail..we aren't moving there yet..have alot to work on. Welcome.
@@suzypos4571 awesome. I’m on East side drive about a half mile south of bill wagners camp ground. I’m gonna be doing some pruning and brush removal. Probably build in 5 years
My daughter taught at the Beaver Island school for a couple of years. We went there a number of times on Island Air and explored the entire island. Wonderful place and great people. Excellent history lesson from you. Thanks.
I've learned so much since I found your channel. I love it.😁😁
Good video of general island history. We are islanders, year round. Next time you come over to our island, let us know. We would be happy to show you into deeper histories with ya!
Deal. . .
Pretty interesting heard alot about the island didn't know alot of what u discussed can't wait till your next video
Sweet!!!!!!!!
Great tour and great history of Beaver Island. It’s a fun place to visit and a step back in time.
Enjoyed your video. Found in church records my gg-grandfather was on the island. Around 1864 to 1886. He was a Belgian. Cooper by trade. Father Gallagher is listed as doing a baptism ( baby Mary)then a week later the funeral of my gg-grandmother.
I just watch a mind unvieled episode regarding lake Michigan. Very interesting history. The comet of 1664 & 1812 seem to play a major role in the area.
My wife and I have been exploring the Great Lakes area since moving here two years ago. We discovered your channel while in Copper Harbor a few day ago. We have now added this to our bucket list. Thank you!
That is awesome! Thanks for finding us!
Really interesting stuff. Michigan has so much history because of the lakes.
Thanks for the video. I learned alot of history from you. I was in Charlevoix in the Coast Guard in the early 90's and even though we went to Beaver Island and broke ice in the area I never had the chance to explore. Always wanted to take a trip back there. Thanks again
Thanks for your service!
I remember visiting Beaver Island as a kid during the mid 1960's with my father who was curious about the place. The car he rented must have been from the late 1940's as it still used a manual choke.
What a great adventure and story.
I went to school on the south end of the island for a semester. The fog signal was our scenic room. We would stay out there for few weeks and come home for 4 or 5 days. Was awsome 💚
I bet it was!
I’m a Michigan Native and my Dads side of my Family grew up on the Lake Huron side, Oscoda, MI to be exact so I’ve been to almost every lighthouse on that side, I’ve been to the dunes on the Lake Michigan side but I don’t think we went to Beaver Island but I definitely remember the name and the name of the lighthouse there. I had family that lives way up in Sugar Island up off the U.P of MI. I’ve been to the area near the Mackinac Bridge where they still have their cannon they had to use and they were still shooting blanks out of it for tourists. I may have been to Beaver Island as a child, ill have to find out because both sides of my Family are Michigan history buffs and LOVE lighthouses. Thanks for this video!
When you stay on Mackinac Island, they light off that cannon daily, and you can pay to fire it!
@@mitrolltv That’s awesome! Somehow Ive never actually been to the Island, I literally have family wayyyy up on Sugar island and I’ve been there, I’ve gone into Canada to see family that I have over there but never got to go to the Island. Closest I got was the cannon on the mitten side of the Bridge, the one we watched get shot was right next to the bridge before you cross to the UP. I really miss it up there Ive been to Oscoda and Tawas hundreds of times in the last few years but haven’t been up there in a good while. I like to visit Lighthouses and such on Lake Huron, my Dad grew up on the lake so I fell in love with it and all of the Greats. Ive been to 4 so far.
Amazing the Mormon connection in the general area with the end result being the same. General area being Indiana and Michigan.
A few towns and places founded by them and then a mass exodus. Many hysterical societies will tell you of a connection but not so much why they are no longer around.
Thanks for sharing your research and as always an awesome video.
Hysterical Religious Fanatacism
That was fascinating!! THank you for documenting this, I didn't even know this place existed.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Quite interesting. Thank you!
It would be cool if the residents of Beaver Island declared war on and defeated the mainland capitol at Lansing; maybe term it a Special Military Operation; that sounds better. Beaver Island and Charlevoix are fun. Great channel, thank you!
Thank you!
I’m glad to hear Michigan ousted the cult king and his subjects! Proud history!
You guys know what quality is, that place is super cool, i hope a ferry is available for my 3-wheel Harley? I don't do airplanes! (thankx-4-upload)
There is ferry from Charlevoix
Thanks for showing off the beautiful island and teaching us more about it than we thought we knew. Cant wait to see your summer video. Welcome!
Beaver Island is also known for the old-time fiddle music that was prevalent there.
Amazing video. So much info
I'm so happy I found you. Poppins is my sister from a different mom, but I'm adopted and 59,so maybe.........
Always love your stories our our great state!
Fascinating. I just recently learned my great great great (great?) grandfather was Thomas Bedford. Thank you for the history lesson. I can’t wait to do more research on him and this topic.
Wow! That's pretty cool!
Fascinating find!
Great video, as always. We own some land there and are planning on building a home soon, and we look forward to moving there. It is great, friendly place not ruined by commercialism.
Agreed. . . and thanks!
Absolutely love that place. Closed on 6 acres myself back in September. Going camping in a couple weeks up there
We bought Thomas's log home on mrs redding trail..have to do alot of work before moving there..stop on by and welcome.
Well it's sure out of the way I live in WY 15 miles from the store kinda inconvenient but it's just isolated just barely get cell service and dead spots are hundred feet away
Cool. My friend and I were thinking about going up there this summer.
Excellent video...I just finished reading "The King of Confidence" which tells the story of James Strang. Was great to watch your video and try to imagine Strang running the place like a " King" 😁
Great job, this Mrs and I set sail 2 years ago with Bever Island in our sites. As we motored out away from our home port, South Haven our diesel started cutting out. Not wanting to have our boatv100 percent we turn around and took the car instead. We had a great time and very happy you had a chance to go
Thanks again
You need to do a run to Isle Royale next
What's good to see on I.R.?
Great Video! I spent a couple of days there last June on my boat waiting out a blow that came through. First time being there without my Piper Archer. Two meals a day at the Shamrock... Currently still watching from the South pole - fully dark now with the Auroras just lighting up the sky!!! A little bit nippy out, numerous days in the -90's but we have not seen -100 yet.... Your videos give me great reminders of finishing up The Great Loop (before I went to Beaver I think I told you that I anchored at Garden Island for a couple of days of hiking?).
Thanks! Yeah - we chatted about Garden and I've waited out a couple of blows there too. The Shamrock is always my chow hall too. I hope you are able to keep entertained during thee Polar night.
Omg negative 90°! What are you doing down in the South Pole? You must have a good size boat to handle that!
18:31 So they don't do the Rural Midwest index-finger-only greeting when vehicles meet on Beaver Island? Some great stuff on this trip! 😎✌️
😂 There are actually a variety of waves on the island - a few Rural Midwest. But the full fingers extended wave seemed to be the most used.
@@RestlessVikingAppreciate the tip, in case I go and want to blend in with the locals...😉 Actually, a really interesting place! And that beach was fantastic!✌️😎
This is so cool! I love your stories as a Michigander. I hope to see most of your locations one day. Next week I'm going to bever Island!
Hope you have a great time!
I camped and hunted on Beaver Island for several years in the 1970s. Lots of abandoned farms at that time and little economic activity.
My neighbor was hunting two legged beaver there got his first
🍿
Thanks for sharing. Interesting history. Looking forward to your trip back.
My brother and I watch you tube, and this has been the only channel we have watched in the last two weeks since we found this site! You two should have your own PBS program on TV in Michigan. I haven't learned much about our state history on these other programs than right here! You two ROCK! Moscato
Thanks for stopping by! Glad to have you!
Just bought a bunch of commercial land there. Going to be building a Dollar General and a McDonalds. Just kidding, I love the place just the way it is, laid back and natural.
😅😅😅😅 👎🏼
Serious question: are you seriously planning on building a McD’s on that island? The history of the Mormons there would give pause with that idea.
Oh, man, you had me going…👏
Thank You for a very informative video !!! ❤
when i was 18 i worked on the southern lighthouse refurbishing the lighthouse and trail system. had a lot of fun that summer. i'm 62 now brings back a lot of good memories. thank you!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
I taught glacial topography for years. Thanks for the short lesson glacial erratics.
Great vid! We bought some acreage and built a cabin on the island in '97. Love it. There's conveniences but there will never be a McDonald's or Target, hallelujah!
The birch tree has only recently been fenced off because of people not respecting it and climbing it for pictures and carving, etc.
Big Rock is actually larger than what it appeared here with all the deep snow piled around it.
There is also a second airline and airport both in Charlevoix and on the island.
EDIT: A little piece of trivia...Tigers first baseman from the '68 World Series team, Stormin' Norman Cash died on Beaver Island. October of '86, Norm was going back to his boat after an evening of revelry at The Shamrock on Main street and apparently slipped or tripped on the dock and fell in the water and drowned. He was found in the water the next morning.
Very cool video, thks for taking us with you!
Burch trees are my favorite! Omg that was absolutely insane ! Love it! I've lived in lower Michigan ( Grand Rapids area) grew up in a small town called Wayland. I've never heard of Bear island. We just took a week long trip to the UP . I'm making my husband take me there some day. All those beautiful Burch trees big pines . The history is absolutely awesome. The mormon Joseph Smith that was interesting. I'm gonna love this channel ❤
Great video! Like your Hugin and Munin logo. Been watching Bjorn Outdoors for bushcraft , scenery, etc., you Vikings are my favorite travelers. Thanks!
So cool, thank you!
Very nice guys! Really enjoyed!
Wow Beaver Island looks mighty cold, brrrr! I liked the history of the island and all the places you shared, thanks! 😎👍
Beaver Island is a magical place, the beauty, islander, and beaches. Go there every year
What time of year?
Thanks for sharing this amazing island. I live in lower Mi.
Thank you too
Enjoyed This Video! Thank You!
Thanks for stopping by!
Well done
Great history lesson!
Now that's an adventure
Never went to the Island via air...went on the Beaver Islander. Shows how many years it's been since I've been there. Hope to return someday.
Hey there, Just found your Channel. Awesome videos. I'm planning a trip to Manistee and the UP maybe next fall. I have some family history in the area I want to investigate. I'll be checking out the other videos in your channel for ideas. Keep up the good work!
Excellent Historic,
I subscribed, based on seeing this video. You tell stories in an interesting way. Your videography is also above average.
Thank you! Your presentation is so inviting! I honestly hope this proves fruitful for you. Even if it doesn't, you still have the adventures! Congratulations!
Thanks for watching!
This was a very cool video. I ran across it randomly and was glad. Thank you.
This was a great piece of Michigan history.
Quite the disparity between subs and views. Very interesting. Keep it up you two.
I grew up in Charlevoix and took the ferry to Beaver Island once. I was about 10 years old and it was a very choppy crossing. I was never so seasick in my life, lol. I remember crying when it was time to board the ferry to go home because I knew what was ahead of me. I don't remember anything about the island. Perhaps we should've flown. Thanks for showing me what I missed!
Love the Michigan history. Subscribed. I would LOVE to hear more about the history of Detroit/Southeast specifically!
Are you from Michigan?
Wife and I camped there over the 4th of July in the early 80s watched fireworks at the bay great memories 👍☮️
I was born and raised in Michigan thank you for the history lesson
This was a terrific video!! Well done!!
Thanks so much!