Beaver Island (Lake Michigan)

Beaver Island
Beaver Island (largest), as seen from space
Beaver Island is located in Michigan
Beaver Island
Beaver Island
Location of Beaver Island in Michigan
Other namesAmikwag-endaad (Ojibwe)
Geography
LocationLake Michigan
Coordinates45°40′N 85°32′W / 45.667°N 85.533°W / 45.667; -85.533
Area55.8 sq mi (145 km2)
Highest elevation696 ft (212.1 m)
Administration
StateMichigan
CountyCharlevoix County
TownshipsPeaine Township
St. James Township
Demographics
Population616 (2020)

Beaver Island is an island in Lake Michigan in the U.S. state of Michigan. At 55.8 sq mi (145 km2), it is the largest island in Lake Michigan and the third largest island in Michigan after Isle Royale and Drummond Island. The island is located approximately 32 miles (51 km) from the city of Charlevoix. Beaver Island had a total population of 616 at the 2020 census.[1] Beaver Island is part of Charlevoix County.[2][3][4]

From 1848 to 1856, Beaver Island was home to a uniquely American political and religious experiment, a Mormon theocracy and monarchy ruled by King James Strang, who unsuccessfully challenged Brigham Young for the post-Joseph Smith leadership of Mormonism. Despite failing to gain a majority following, Strang remained the self-appointed leader of a Mormon splinter group, who were known colloquially as the Strangites to distinguish them from the much larger and mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After Strang's assassination that year, dispossessed Irish American fishermen from the County Donegal Gaeltacht returned, expelled the Strangites, and retook the island, which is now a popular vacation and tourist destination. Portions of the island and surrounding archipelago are protected as part of the Beaver Islands State Wildlife Research Area.

  1. ^ "Beaver Island, MI Demographics". 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  2. ^ https://peterburn.com/the-2022-lake-michigan-vacation-beaver-island The 2022 Lake Michigan Vacation – Beaver Island
  3. ^ "Where Is Michigan's Beaver Island". cbsnews.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.<
  4. ^ "Beaver Island - America's Emerald Isle". michigan.org. Retrieved August 10, 2024.