A Deserted Camp on Neebish Island (Plus Goose Island), Michigan

Goose Island is a skinny patch of land located in Lake Huron, as part of the Les Cheneaux Islands. It lies northeast of Mackinac Island and is practically uninhabitable. Many swampy areas are in this little sliver of an island but it does make a good bucket list entry.

Neebish Island is an entirely different story. There are a good number of things to see here:

1) An old historic cemetery complete with 'spirit houses' - was left neglected for a long time until one of the island couples decided it was up to them to keep it maintained. The centuries-old grave markers now are surrounded by a trimmed, clean property.
2) A rusted out, beached tugboat which is visited by the fortunate people who happen to come across it it the bushes and weeds.
3) An old canoe camp - Pine River Camp – that entertained and educated kids from al across the country from the late 1960s to 1993. Traipsing thru the woods, you may come across old dilapidated cabins, outhouses, and bunks: falling apart, but many still standing (obey any "no trespassing" signs you might encounter. Protect yourself from harm or prosecution).

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As for a brief Neebish Island history, the first Europeans landed here in the 1600s, encountering the Native American tribes of the Ojibwa and Potawatomi. No skirmishes have been recorded. Mingling with the Indians, the Europeans learned of the word 'aniibiish' which means 'leaf'. The word was later anglicized and the island was forever known as 'Neebish'. A creek cuts through the island, giving the patch of land two parts: "Big Neebish" and "Little Neebish.”

It did go thru one name change, however. Following the War of 1812, Neebish was re-named St. Tammany Island.

FAST FACTS:
1877: Saw mill began operating in the creek between Big Neebish and Little Neebish. At its peak there were 150 employees.
1893: The mill closed.
1924: Neebish Island got its own phone service, the Neebish Mutual Telephone Company.
1933: Car ferry service begins.
1950s: The island finally gets electrical hookup.

There were various school houses on the island but most all have closed down. Now the island remains a destination for families who have seasonal cottages.

It's a pretty interesting place to explore...you may be surprised at some of the other things back in the woods that await you. Take a look at the gallery below for photos of both Neebish Island and Goose Island...

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