Washington Island: A History of the Niagara Escarpment's Gem

Washington Island is part of a scenic chain of islands that form an outcropping of the Niagara Escarpment—a prominent geological ridge—stretching across the entrance of Green Bay. Positioned between the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin and the Garden Peninsula in Michigan, the island possesses a rich tapestry of indigenous heritage and colonial exploration.

Long before European arrival, the island was known by various Native American names. The Ojibwa called it "Wassekiganeso," meaning "his breast is shining," a poetic reference to the way sunlight reflects off the island's limestone cliffs. Another indigenous name, "Me-she-ne-mah-ke-ming," translates to "Leader Island."

Key Facts

• Geology: The island is an outcropping of the Niagara Escarpment.
• Indigenous Names: Known as "Wassekiganeso" (Ojibwa) and "Me-she-ne-mah-ke-ming."
• Colonial Naming: Formerly referred to as part of the Potawatomi Islands or l'Isle des Poux.
• Naming Origin: Named after the schooner Washington, the flagship of a fleet bound for Fort Howard in 1816.
• Demographics: Early non-Native settlers in the 1830s were primarily of Icelandic and Irish descent.
• Legal Status: Confirmed as part of Wisconsin by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1936.

The Era of Early Exploration and Naming

The written history of the region begins with the French, though their early records did not name individual islands. Instead, they referred to the group based on the Native American tribes present at the time. From 1650 to 1816, the area was most commonly known as the Potawatomi Islands. The Potawatomi people are believed to have arrived at the southern islands around 1641, potentially influencing the naming of Porte des Morts.

The French version of this name, l'Isle des Poux, was a shortened form of the tribe's name. Over time, this was occasionally confused with "Puans," a term referring to the Winnebago. Other historical records from 1670–1672 mention the "Huron Islands," while others used "Noquet Islands," named for a small band of Ojibwa living near Big Bay de Noc. In the late 18th century, explorer Jonathan Carver simply called them the "Islands of the Grand Traverse."

The Arrival of the Schooner Washington

The modern name of the island dates back to July 1816. Col. John Miller was tasked with garrisoning Fort Howard at the head of Green Bay. His fleet, sailing from Mackinac, consisted of the sloop Amelia and three schooners: the Wayne, the Mink, and the Washington. The Washington was the flagship and reportedly the largest vessel on the lakes at that time.

When the fleet became separated, the Washington anchored in what is now Washington Harbor. During a two-day wait for the other ships, officers explored the land and named the harbor after their vessel and President Washington. While the largest island was initially named Millers Island after Col. John Miller, other nearby islands were named after party members like Maj. Talbot Chambers, John O'Fallon, and Joseph Kean. Today, Chambers Island retains its name, while Keans and Fallons Islands are known as Rock and Detroit Islands, respectively.

: View from the north through the east from the currently closed[11] lookout tower at Mountain Park near center of island.

Settlement and Legal Disputes

Despite the official naming by the military, many mapmakers continued to use the names "Potawatomi" or "Louse" for years. This inconsistency is still visible today; for example, the lighthouse on Rock Island is still called Pottawatomie Light. The transition to "Washington Island" as the primary name was driven by the settlers who arrived in the 1830s.

Attracted by reports of large trout, these early settlers—mostly of Icelandic and Irish descent—established themselves around Washington Harbor. By the census of 1850, the name "Washington Island" was officially recorded.

The island's political affiliation was not always clear. The border between Wisconsin and Michigan was originally defined by the "most usual ship channel" into Green Bay. Because commercial routes existed both north and south of the island, a border dispute ensued. This was finally resolved in 1936 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Wisconsin v. Michigan that Washington Island and its neighbors belonged to Wisconsin.

Period/Source	Name Used	Origin/Meaning
Ojibwa	Wassekiganeso	"His breast is shining" (limestone cliffs)
Native American	Me-she-ne-mah-ke-ming	"Leader Island"
French (Post-1650)	Potawatomi Islands / l'Isle des Poux	Named after the Potawatomi tribe
Jesuit Records (1670s)	Huron Islands	Named after the Huron people
Col. John Miller (1816)	Millers Island	Named after the garrison commander
Modern Era	Washington Island	Named after the schooner Washington

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the island called Washington Island?

It was named after the schooner Washington, the flagship of a fleet led by Col. John Miller in 1816, which anchored in the harbor while waiting for other vessels.

What does the Ojibwa name "Wassekiganeso" mean?

It translates to "his breast is shining," referring to the sunlight reflecting off the island's limestone cliffs.

Who were the first non-Native settlers on the island?

The first significant wave of non-Native settlers arrived in the 1830s and were primarily of Irish and Icelandic descent, drawn to the area by the abundance of large trout.

How was the border dispute between Wisconsin and Michigan resolved?

The dispute over the "most usual ship channel" was settled in 1936 by a U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case Wisconsin v. Michigan, which awarded the island to Wisconsin.

What is the Niagara Escarpment?

The Niagara Escarpment is the geological formation that creates the string of islands stretching from the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin to the Garden Peninsula in Michigan.