On this day in history, March 3, 1931, Congress authorized the establishment of Isle Royale National Park. The purpose was to preserve its rugged wilderness and deep historical roots. From ancient Indigenous copper mining dating back over 6,500 years to 19th-century fishing settlements and failed mining ventures, Isle Royale has long been a place of human resilience and natural beauty. Now a protected national park, its stories live on through preserved artifacts, historic sites, and even the shipwrecks resting beneath Lake Superior’s waters.
A Storied Past in the Heart of Lake Superior
Long before it became a national park, Isle Royale was home to Indigenous people who mined copper as far back as 6,500 years ago. Evidence of ancient mining, including pits and stone tools, can still be found across the island, particularly near McCargoe Cove. These early inhabitants left a lasting mark on the landscape, and their efforts played a key role in the region’s early metalworking traditions.
European Exploration and Settlement
The island was later explored by European traders and missionaries. The Jesuit missionary Claude Dablon wrote about “an island called Menong, celebrated for its copper” in the late 1600s. The name “Minong,” meaning “the good place,” was used by the Ojibwa people, who considered the island their territory. Following the 1783 Treaty of Paris, the U.S. claimed Isle Royale, but the British retained control until after the War of 1812. The Ojibwa formally ceded the island to the U.S. in the 1842 Treaty of La Pointe.
The Copper Boom and Commercial Fishing
In the mid-1800s, Douglass Houghton’s geological survey ignited a copper mining rush on Isle Royale. However, the island’s remoteness and harsh conditions led to quick failures for most mining operations. The Minong and Island Mines were the most significant, operating from the 1870s until the early 1880s before shutting down.
Meanwhile, Scandinavian and German immigrants established commercial fishing settlements. Fishing families built cabins and operated fisheries, some of which continued into the 20th century. Though the industry has declined, the legacy of these fishing communities lives on in structures like the Edisen Fishery.
Becoming a National Park
By the early 1900s, logging, mining, and settlement had left their marks on Isle Royale. Conservationists advocated for its preservation, and in 1931, Congress authorized the establishment of Isle Royale National Park. President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially designated it as a national park in 1940.
To further protect the island, it was designated a Wilderness Area in 1976, a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve in 1980, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019 as the Minong Traditional Cultural Property.
Preserving the Island’s Heritage
Though Isle Royale no longer has permanent residents, descendants of the island’s fishing families still visit and fish in its waters. The National Park Service works to preserve its historical sites, from ancient copper pits to 19th-century fishery buildings and shipwrecks like the SS America.
A Living History
Isle Royale is not just a place of natural beauty but a window into America’s past. From Indigenous copper miners to European traders, immigrant fishermen, and conservationists, the island’s history is as rich as its rugged landscape. Whether visiting in person or learning from afar, Isle Royale offers a fascinating glimpse into the human stories that shaped this wilderness.
