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Madeline Island & Big Bay State Park
In mid-May of 2005, we took the Madeline Island Ferry to the village of LaPointe, WI on Madeline Island. For early season and a forecast for a cool, rainy weekend, we surprised to see the number of people and cars headed for the Island on a Friday afternoon. The Ferry had to run an extra trip to meet the demand.
Madeline Island, the most southern island of the Apostles, may have been visited as early as 1618 by Etienne Brule - preceeding the Pilgrams landing at Plymouth Rock by 2 years. By 1660 active trading by Radisson & Groseilliers is a matter of record. During the 1660s Jesuit priests Menard, Allouez, and Marquette visited the area in their attempt to bring Christianity to natives. In 1693 Pierre Le Sueur founded a trading post on the south end of the island.
View of Madeline Island from the Madeline Island Ferry, La Pointe, Wisconsin
Things to do and see on the island include a walking tour of the historical structures in LaPointe, visiting the history museum, sampling the restaurants and pubs, taking a bike, bus or car tour of the island, beach combing, golfing, hiking, swimming or camping at Big Bay State park, and just "hanging out" enjoying the easy ambience of the island. And the ferry ride itself is a worthwhile attraction - you get a view of the Apostle Islands and Bayfield from the water that you can't get from land.
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La Pointe, Wisconsin
The town Gazebo greets you as you get off the Ferry. Madeline Island has been home to Native Americans for centuries and an outpost off and on by European fur traders and voyageurs's since 1659. It was officially incorporated as a village in 1834. > > >
< < < While it was a gray, overcast day, these flowers in front of this downtown house brightened up our arrival.
The Old LaPointe Inn dates back to 1870 > > >
< < < The Library, originally Bay View School, dates back to 1872.
The Post Office began life in 1900 as the dining room addition to the original Old Mission Inn (1832) > > >
Ojibway Memorial
Cemetary |
Note the unusual
grave covers |
 Go Here for info on the Madeline Island Historical Museum
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Riding the Madeline Island Ferry
The SUV left of center is first in line for the next Madeline Island Ferry trip. The parked cars are those of people who are riding the ferry over without their vehicles. > > >
While taking your car or RV to the island is a neat experience, you can see quite a lot by walking around town. If you want to go further around the island, you can rent a bike or take the bus tour.
"ARVY" - our Winnebago Rialta - enjoyed a smooth ride across the 2.6 mile stretch of Lake Superior from Bayfield to LaPointe. We were half-way across before I realized we had left the dock!
And with Jo at the Helm, ARVY successfully disembarks from the ferry. The Two Black Pointed Ears behind Jo belong to Hans - der German Shepherd - who is supervising the operation. > > >
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As soon as the ice is out, the Madeline Island Ferry begins running 4 times a day from Bayfield to the village of La Pointe. After May 15th it's every half-hour except for early morning and late evening trips. |
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Dining and Lodging
We enjoyed a fresh Lake Superior Whitefish dinner overlooking the Lake at The Inn on Madeline Island Restaurant & Pub. Donna and Dan, our traveling companions on this trip, stayed next door at the TownHome condo's with their own beach front and a terrific lake view. Unfortunately the cool rainy weather dampened the enjoyment of this amenity! > > >
For the Traveler who requires a terrific deal on food and beverages, but are not too picky on ambience, their urges can be satisfied at Tom's Burned Down Cafe!
Tom's stylish
Front Entrance
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Tom's friendly
Rear Entrance
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More photos and info about Tom's and the Bell Street Tavern.
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Big Bay State Park - Madeline Island
In 2007 we hope to add more information here on Camping, Hiking, and Picknicing at Big Bay State Park and Campground. The park wasn't fully open when we visited in 2005. Briefly, it offers 60 camp sites, but no electric or dump sites for RVs. The sites are nicely spaced and wooded, Also showers, beach, boat launch, hiking trails (rain prevented us from exploring these in 2005). The adjacent Big Bay township campground was poorly maintained.
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Madeline Island Links
Some helpful links for visiting and touring Madeline Island:
More photos and info on Madeline Island
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Fall Color Tour Map
