Island in the East
By Mikel B. Classen

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the “Far East” doesn’t mean the Orient, Buddhism, or rickshaws. It means small resorts, tucked away campsites, wilderness trails, and outstanding hunting and fishing. It means Drummond Island, one of the most interesting and secluded places in the U.P. Drummond Island is the largest
island in the Great Lakes in U.S. territory, containing 137 square miles, much of  which is state land and open to the public. The possibilities are endless.

The island is the eastern most point in the Upper Peninsula, located east of the Straits of Mackinac. To get there, go north of the Mackinac Bridge on I-75 for 15 miles, then head east on M-134 for 40 miles to Village of DeTour.

Right away the fun starts aboard a car ferry to Drummond Island. Not many of these are left in Michigan; they’re a rare treat. You drive on at DeTour and drive off at Drummond, never leaving your car. The ferry runs year round. If the route gets too iced-in during winter, the ice becomes a road.

On the Island

Once on the island, The small community of Drummond has paved roads, with cottages, private homes, and resorts tucked away in quiet and scenic corners. The peaceful island seems detached and unconcerned with the rest of the world. That’s what makes a stay here so pleasant, the feeling of being away from everything.

Hunting and fishing on the island is legendary. The bays produce record catches of perch and walleye, while inland lakes are well stocked with trophy bass and pike. Game is plentiful, with healthy populations of all Michigan game animals including black bear, deer, and ruffed grouse. Varied waterfowl seem to nest heavily. To really make your stay interesting, throughout the island are fishing and hunting resorts that, besides producing private and fully equipped cabins, have guide, boat, and bait services, which can be rented or chartered. This island caters
to the outdoorsman.

Recreation Paradise

Drummond Island is full of trails, hidden lakes, and wilderness. Backpackers, paddlers, bicyclists, horsepackers, and ORV enthusiasts are at home here. The island has year-round activities, so snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers will equally delight in the possibilities. The trails wind deep into the unpopulated interior of the north and east, which is remote and thick. Additionally, people can see spectacular fall and spring beauty here.

Summer brings bugs, and preparation is a must. Winter provides snowmobile touring that leaves virtually all areas accessible. Photography opportunities are breathtaking; a trip to the island should always include a camera. On the far
eastern end of the island are fossil ledges that reflect a prehistoric past.

History of Drummond

Drummond’s rich and intriguing history shows it has always been a place of refuge and escape. Settling began when the British were forced to retreat from Mackinac in 1812 but still had to maintain control of the upper Great Lakes. A large Indian meeting place and ceremonial ground was in the area, so control and protection was a prime concern. The massacre at Fort Michilimackinac a few years earlier had made them wary.

A rich fur trade in the U.P. provided the king with wealth he wasn’t going to give up. In order to maintain British grip on the upper waterway, soldiers retreated and established a fort on Drummond Island on a high hill that overlooked where DeTour is today and the channel in between. This fort was fully garrisoned for about ten years. After that, it was abandoned when Drummond Island was ruled to be U.S. territory.

Then the island lay unused for a few years until a Mormon named Seaman
built the first permanent homestead, fleeing persecution from Beaver Island. Mormons established a settlement at Beaver Island, but they were driven off
because their leader had declared himself king and the U.S. Government was unhappy with that. Thinking that Drummond Island could give them a new foot hold and peace at last, Seaman took his family and settled on Drummond. Soon more refugee Mormons followed. Then non-Mormons trickled in and other small settlements began to be carved out of the harsh environment. Again the Mormons found themselves in a battle for religious survival. Prejudice from the outsiders eventually manifested itself in religious debates and arguments. In the
end, Mormons lost the fight, as they were driven away once again.

Mining

Eventually, dolomite was discovered and a mine opened up. Suddenly, Drummond Island had come into its own. Dolomite mining is the only actual industry there, and it still operates today. The mine is the first thing a visitor sees when arriving on the car ferry. The entire island economy revolves around this mine and tourism.

This rich history and the hard realities of settling the island are aptly depicted at the Drummond Island Historical Museum. Nice displays give a wonderful and vivid overview of the settling and progress that has taken place. This is perhaps the best way to get a feel for the island, the people, and the way of life here. Displays of models, artifacts, photos, and clippings are set out so that the viewer takes a trip along a timeline that leads to an eye-opening understanding of the descendants of these hardy and determined pioneers.

Exploration

For the explorers out there, a drive along some of the roads will take you to locations of some of the original island settlements and past standing and ruined homesteads. These monuments of the past can be seen struggling to survive within the growth of the countryside.

Accommodations on the island are varied, from the many resorts to the couple of motels. A campground is 6 miles from the ferry landing off the main road, with the turnoff well marked on the northeast side of the road. The cost to camp is small. The campground provides electrical hook ups but nothing else—no shower or
sewer facilities. The place inhabits a sheltered cove on Potagannissing Bay, which consists of a rocky shoreline on the south side of the island. On the whole, the campground is nice, but it gets very little use. About 75 sites are reasonably spread out, providing privacy and quiet. Small boats can be launched here, but midsize and larger boats have to use one of the dozen other sites found elsewhere.

Community Of Drummond

Paddling Potagannissing Bay in my kayak was one of the highlights of my
stay. Countless islands big and small make paddling here an experience like
no other. Beware—the winds pick up quickly and can be dangerous. Drummond Island is a self-sufficient community, so people find many supplies, such as gas and groceries. Excellent restaurants populate the area, including a Mexican diner that is a highlight of the island. Drummond Island is a growing community with new businesses and recreational opportunities developing all the time. A new tall ship has made its home on the island and is available for rides and hire. The island can provide a visit both satisfying and memorable.

One closing tip—pick up a Chamber of Commerce map to help your stay. It shows  all the backroads and points of interest. For further information, call or write the Drummond Island Chamber of Commerce at Drummond Island, MI 49726

You can also check out their website at : https://www.visitdrummondisland.com/

Back to our Features page

Back to the Mikel B. Classen Homepage

Content copyright . Mikel B. Classen. All rights reserved.