Russell Island is a small island between Algonac, Michigan, and Walpole Island, Ontario. It is on the St. Clair River in Michigan. It is served by the Russell Island Ferry. It is part of Clay Township. There are some 150 cottages on this island. There are no cars, only golf carts or bikes (except for work vehicles, like bulldozers). There are actually three islands making up Russell Island. Those being Russell Island (the largest), Anderson Island to the northwest, and "The Gold Coast" to the south. It is a private island and a part of Michigan.
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Island Lore
Prior to building the first homes on the Island around 1910, the original purchasers intended to make Russell Island into an amusement attraction. The "Pop Stand" (aka Russell Island Yacht Club) used to be home to several slot machines which provided entertainment to island goers. Sometime around the prohibition era the slot machines were dumped in the St. Claire River.
Old Ferry Dock
Actually, there used to be a dock on the East side of the island where a ferry would drop people off to stay the day on this island. When the cottages were built, the ferry continued to go there, untill the late 1960's when the ferry dock was moved to the West side of the island.
Russell Island Yacht Club
Also, the Russell Island Yacht Club is almost a social center of Russel Island, where after 9 PM adults will go to the only store on the Island to get a beer or watch TV with friends. Kids will go there all the time during the day to buy candy, icecream, pop, or pizza. Many events are hosted at the Yacht Club, like the old timers prty or Bingo.
The Beach/Park
External links
- Russell Island (Michigan) is at coordinates Coordinates:
Sources
The Geology of Michigan- Book by Donald F. Eschman and John Adam Dorr
