Going Home

After reading "Devil and the White City" about the 1893 World's Fair, I became enamored with the landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead who designed the grounds. I didn't realize how many parks I have enjoyed in my lifetime that were designed by him--Central Park in NYC, the Capitol grounds in Washington, DC, the Bok Tower gardens in Lake Wales, FL, to name a few. I recently found out that Belle Isle was also designed by him in 1880!

Did you know that Belle Isle was originally called Hog Island?

I can expaund on the names that our island in the city has had from the past.

- As part of the Ottawa and Chippewa territory, Belle Isle was known as "Wah-na-be-zze" (translates to White Swan), because it was the resting place for migratory swans.
- In 1620, it was known to Native Americans as "Rattlesnake Island" because it was infested with rattlesnakes. Legend says the snakes were placed there by the God Manitou to keep evil spirits away.
- Antonie de lay Mothe Cadillac (1701-1810) named it “Isle Lay Marguerite” in honor of one of his daughter.
- Some of the early French settlers called it “Isle Au Ste. Clair”.
- In 1759, the French called it “Isle Aux Cochons” or “Hog Island”, as they placed hogs and cattle on the island. This keep the hogs confined and from destroying crops on the mainland. The island also had a large population of snakes which hogs do eat.
- July 4, 1845, the island was named “Belle Isle” in honor of Miss Isabelle Cass, the daughter of Governor (General) Lewis Cass.
- August 29, 1881, Common Council officially changed the name to “Belle Isle Park”.

In 1883, Frederick Law Olmstead was hired to develop a plan for Belle Isle, which was not fully utilized.

There is a lot of history regarding Belle Isle that I am sure many do not know. We just think about it as our own little oasis in the city. It is hard to believe that it has passed from the Chippewa and Ottawa tribes to the English, the French and finally to the City of Detroit.

During World War II, the Detroit River and Belle Isle were used as training grounds for troops from Broadhead Naval Armory. During the Cold War (1955-1968), Belle Isle housed a Nike Air Defense System.

Does anyone know of any other nuggets of history that apply to Belle Isle? Or, are there any questions regarding Belle Isle or its history?

Okadam....Frederick Law Olmstead was also the landscape architect of Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery. Many movers and shakers as well as local celebraties,such as George Pierrot are buried there. Just as pristine as Six and Van Dyke's Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Once inside it's gates,Elmwood offers the visitor a chance to time travel from it's creation by Mr. Olmstead in the 1850's up until the present date. I recommend Elmwood Cemetery to all those interested in Detroit's history and it's layout in natural settings shows how Detroit's topography appeared in the mid 19th century.

Sooo Cooool!

Two things, Lori:

When and how did the tunnel leading to the bridge come down?

And do you know of a legend about a witch on the island?

I recall driving to Belle Isle at night during my high-school years, parking near an old bridge in the woods, then beeping my car horn. This was supposed to make the witch appear on the bridge. She never showed herself to me and my friends, though. :0)

Thanks zona de surf!

I'll take a ride out to the cemetery the next time I am in Michigan.

This is WAY OFF TOPIC, but I've been trying to trace where our real grandfather is buried. We know what year (1920), but not much else. No relatives left to help. Can't trace it through public records without a date and month of death.

We thought about checking the Detroit News archives as he was killed in a collision between his motorcycle and a streetcar. It might have made the newspaper.

Any suggestions would be appreciated? You can email me directly at okadam@comcast.net.

Thanks for your comment zona de surf! You are so correct about Elmwood; it is a fantastic place. Chancey does some wonderful walking tours imparting his great knowledge regarding the history. Mt. Elliott Cemetery, next door, is also an interesting place also having much of city history within its gates. Did you know that the first Jewish cemetery in Detroit is part of Elmwood and that the Battle of Bloody Run between Chief Pontiac and the British took place along the creek that runs through the cemetery? Sign up for one of the walking tours offered by the Detroit Historical Society, Preservation Wayne or another group when you get a chance. It's a great way to get some exercise and to learn about Detroit's past.

I have sent a response to okadam regarding advice on finding information on his grandfather. Best place I have found is the public library newspaper microfilm achieves.

In answer to Michael Happy's comments regarding the underpass, the E. Grand Boulevard Jefferson Avenue underpass to the bridge -- such a memory. Back in the 1950s, my Dad would take us on a Sunday afternoon drive around Belle Isle. We would always take the underpass entrance to the island bridge, and I thought that it was such fun. There was a sign that said "Don't Blow Your Horn" but everyone did. The old 1921 "Belle Isle Coach Station" sat on the street above.

Unfortunately, the underpass was deteriorating, and the city said that repairs were too expense. So during the 1986 renovation project, which made repairs to the MacArthur Bridge, the once famous East Grand Blvd. underpass (or subway) to the bridge, which permitted traffic to enter the island via a tunnel under E. Jefferson, was filled-in and removed.

I still think about it when I drive onto the island.

Michael also mentioned the GHOST STORY of a woman in white who beckons you into the woods. The way I heard it is: There is the ghost of a modern day woman on Belle Isle. It is said that if you drive onto a bridge on Belle Isle, shut off your engine and wait a few minutes, the spirit of a woman will come out of the woods dressed in white and motion for you to follow her in. Some versions also call her a witch.

I have seen the white deer that used to roam the island but never ghost or witch. That is unless it was at the Belle Isle Zoo during Halloween time or at the old Belle Isle Nature Center at their haunted woods.

Did you know that the woods on Belle Isle are one of the last remnants of the old hardwood forests that grew in the area centuries ago? This is something that we need to preserve.

As an ol' FOB retar'd down here in the southern Appalachians -- and relating variously to Belle Isle up in the Detroit River of our hometown -- just yesterday I'm reminded that these mountains range from northern Alabama for over 2000 miles northeast to Canada; with their northernmost peak being (all of 700 ft above sea-level) Belle Isle (Old french for 'Beautiful Island'), uninhabited and just off the coast between Labrador and Newfoundland at the Atlantic entrance to its Strait of Belle Isle...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Isle_(Newfoundland_and_Labrador)

In reply to OKADAM search.. Go to the main library's Burton Historical Collection.

As you walk into the room you'll have to sign in .. then go to your right into the next room where they have microfilm and microfiche readers and ask the attendent to see the microfiche for Detroit Deaths by the decades.

The microfiche sheets are chronologically filed by the decades, IE 1900's, 1910's 1920' through the 1960's. As you review the sheet you will find that each sheet is organized by the year within each decade and will list the deaths of people that died in Detroit in alphabetical order within each year as well as their date of death and the number of their death certificate.

After you find the info you can go to the Newspaper Archive room and ask to see the microfilm for the date of death, plus 3 days to look up the death notice for the subject person. They have the Detroit Free Press going back to the 1850's along with the Detroit News, Detroit Times, Dzieniek Polski Etc.

Based upon the accident you reported you may also find a short story in the paper regarding the accident.

If you want a certified hard copy of the death certificate you'll have to go to the old Herman Kiefer Hospital in the shadow of the Henry Ford Hospital along the Lodge Freeway. They charge $20 cash.

Good Hunting ..
Fred Kuplicki
Genealogist