Remembering the Burt Lake Burn-Out

A Tragic Day in Michigan History

On October 15, 1900, the quiet shores of Burt Lake in northern Michigan’s “Tip of the Mitt” region became the scene of a tragic and little-known chapter in American history. That morning, sheriff Fred Ming and his deputies, acting at the behest of a local land developer, burned down the Burt Lake Band’s village. The eviction, now referred to as the Burt Lake Burn-Out, forcibly displaced nineteen families of Ottawa and Chippewa heritage.

The village, located on a peninsula known as Indian Point, had existed for centuries. Archaeological evidence shows pottery fragments and charcoal deposits that date back over 500 years. These findings show that the area was home to generations of the Chaboiganing Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. In the 1800s, the settlement called Indian Village was recognized in federal treaties (1836 and 1855). The land designated as an “Indian Preserve” and intended to remain under the stewardship of the Burt Lake Band in perpetuity.

Travel and Trade

The Tip of the Mitt area was historically a hub of Native American travel and trade. Waterways connected the Straits of Mackinac to Grand Traverse Bay. The Ottawa and Chippewa used these routes for transportation and commerce. The Burt Lake Band consisted of skilled hunters, fishermen, farmers, and gatherers. They maintained seasonal villages along the lake and inland shores.

The events of 1900 unfolded based on lies. Cheboygan land speculator John Walter McGinn, claimed to have purchased the village land for back taxes. He sought to forcibly remove the families. With a writ of assistance from 1898 in hand, McGinn enlisted the help of Sheriff Ming and his deputies. McGinn wanted them to remove the villagers and burn their homes. All that remained standing was St. Mary’s Catholic Mission Church, built in 1838. Many families relocated nearby along Indian Trail Road following the Burn-Out. The community of Indianville was formed and a second St. Mary’s Catholic Church was built in 1908.

Legal Battles

Legal battles continued for years. In 1911, the U.S. Attorney General filed a federal case seeking to return the expropriated lands to the Burt Lake Band. Evidence showed that the land had been federally recognized as Indian Village and the tax assessments had been improperly applied. Still, in 1917 the court ruled in favor of McGinn’s estate. By then, the McGinn family had established a large lakeshore farm on the former village land.

Today, the Burt Lake Burn-Out is remembered as a “Bitter Memory” and a cautionary tale of broken promises. The story of the Burt Lake Band reminds us of the resilience of Native communities and the importance of acknowledging and preserving the full history of our region.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.