Beaver Island Historical Society

The Beaver Island Historical Society in St James Twp, MI provides visitors with a fascinating overview of the island's history, which dates back over eleven thousand years. From its formation out of the ice to the rise and fall of Lake Michigan, the island has undergone significant changes, and the society showcases artifacts and information about the Native American tribes, the arrival of white traders and trappers, and the intriguing period when Beaver Island was home to America's only kingdom led by James Strang.

During the Mormon occupation, the island transformed from a wilderness to a thriving community, with the Mormons clearing land, building roads and houses, and cultivating the ground. However, their reign was short-lived, and after Strang's assassination, the Irish fishermen arrived, attracted by the island's abundant fishing grounds. Over the next three decades, the population grew steadily, and the historical society offers a glimpse into this period of growth and change on Beaver Island.

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