St. Joseph Island
M
any colourful stories – some legend, some historical
fact – are told about St. Joseph Island, the second largest
freshwater island in the world, situated in the channel
between Lakes Huron and Superior. About 45 km (28 mi)
long and 24 km (15 mi) wide, the 140,000-acre island is
56 km (28 mi) east of Sault Ste. Marie via Highways 17 and
548. Originally named Anipich, the Ojibway word for “place
of the hardwood trees”, the Island was given its present
name by Jesuit missionaries to honour the patron saint of
a new Indian church they were building.
Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site of Canada is a
must-see stop. The British chose St. Joseph Island as
the ideal location for a fort because of its proximity to Fort
Mackinac, to the navigation routes controlling the fur trade
and access to the Great Lakes. It was from Fort St. Joseph
that a surprise invasion took place in 1812, leading to the
capture of the American Fort on Mackinac Island.
The Island is linked to the mainland by a toll free bridge,
opened in 1972. With full service marinas, championship
9-hole golf course, libraries, public beaches and trails
within easy walking distance of the business centre, St.
Joseph Island has something for everyone.
The two villages, Hilto n Beach and Richards Landing, have
a variety of businesses to serve the traveler, as well as
hosting many special community events.
Hilton Beach
H
ilton Beach offers many services such as restaurants
(two licenced under the LLBO), a general store, gift shops,
post office, motel, tourist park with cabins, hookups for
trailers and a convenience store, public computer site with
high-speed and WiFi, full service marina known as one
of the largest in the North Channel and one of the most
scenic on the Great Lakes, public library and a hairdresser.
Many events take place through the summer months.
Arts at the Dock is one of the largest shows in Algoma.
The Hilton Beach Car Show features about 100 original,
restored cars. Old Town Hall concerts brings some of the
best Canadian musicians.
For more information write Village of Hilton Beach, Box 25,
Hilton Beach ON P0R 1G0, email [email protected]
or visit us online at www.hiltonbeach.com
AlgomaThatReal.com
54