La Pointe is an
unincorporated community
An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...
in the town of
La Pointe,
Ashland County,
Wisconsin
Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...
, United States. It is on the western shore of
Madeline Island, the largest of the
Apostle Islands
The Apostle Islands are a group of 22 islands in Lake Superior, off the Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin. The majority of the islands are located in Ashland County—only Sand, York, Eagle, and Raspberry Islands are located in Ba ...
. Downtown La Pointe is adjacent to the Madeline Island Ferry dock. La Pointe has a
post office
A post office is a public facility and a retailer that provides mail services, such as accepting letters and parcels, providing post office boxes, and selling postage stamps, packaging, and stationery. Post offices may offer additional se ...
with
ZIP code 54850.
While the area encompassing the Town of La Pointe is made up of the entire
Apostle Islands
The Apostle Islands are a group of 22 islands in Lake Superior, off the Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin. The majority of the islands are located in Ashland County—only Sand, York, Eagle, and Raspberry Islands are located in Ba ...
archipelago
An archipelago ( ), sometimes called an island group or island chain, is a chain, cluster, or collection of islands, or sometimes a sea containing a small number of scattered islands.
Examples of archipelagos include: the Indonesian Arch ...
, the residents of the community live almost exclusively on Madeline Island because it is the only Apostle Island open to commercial development.
[Madelineisland.com](_blank)
The
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of th ...
does not publish population figures specific to the unincorporated community, but the surrounding
town
A town is a human settlement. Towns are generally larger than villages and smaller than cities, though the criteria to distinguish between them vary considerably in different parts of the world.
Origin and use
The word "town" shares an o ...
had a population of 428 in the 2020 census.
History
According to
William Whipple Warren's ''History of the Ojibway People'' (18xx), ''Moningwunakuaning'' "is the spot on which the Ojibway tribe first grew, and like a tree it has spread its branches in every direction, in the bands that now
885
Year 885 ( DCCCLXXXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place Europe
* Summer – Emperor Charles the Fat summons a meeting of officials at Lobith (modern ...
occupy the vast extent of the Ojibway earth; and also that 'it is the root from which all the far scattered villages of the tribe have sprung.'"
La Pointe was originally the site of a
fortified
A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere' ...
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
trading post
A trading post, trading station, or trading house, also known as a factory, is an establishment or settlement where goods and services could be traded.
Typically the location of the trading post would allow people from one geographic area to tr ...
from 1693 to 1698 and from 1718 to 1759. The current city began to develop in the late 18th century as an
American Fur Company
The American Fur Company (AFC) was founded in 1808, by John Jacob Astor, a German immigrant to the United States. During the 18th century, furs had become a major commodity in Europe, and North America became a major supplier. Several British ...
outpost under the leadership of
Michel Cadotte.
Warren, whose mother was French-Ojibwa, learned from maternal tribal elders that the Ojibwa originally lived near the mouth of the
St. Lawrence River. At the time of great sickness and death, the Great Spirit interceded through Manabosho, a common uncle of the Anishinubag (spontaneous people). Through the discovery of the snakeroot they were granted the rite, enabled through their Medawe (religion), "wherewith life is restored and prolonged." The great Megis (seashell) showed itself as a glossy thing reflecting on the sea. It led them first to a place near Montreal where they stayed for some time. Next it led them to Boweting (Sault Ste. Marie); again they stayed for some time. At last it led them to Moningwunakauning (La Pointe, Madeline Island), "where it has ever since reflected back the rays of the sun, and blessed our ancestors with life, light and wisdom," says Warren. So the flickering shaft of light is the Megis, and La Pointe is the center of the Earth for the Ojibwa.
Kechewaishke, commonly known as ''Chief Buffalo'', was an
Ojibwa leader born at La Pointe in 1759. Recognized as the principal chief of the
Lake Superior Chippewa
The Lake Superior Chippewa ( Anishinaabe: Gichigamiwininiwag) are a large number of Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) bands living around Lake Superior; this territory is considered part of northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota in the United States. They ...
(Ojibwa) for nearly a half-century until his death in 1855, he led his nation into a treaty relationship with the
United States Government, signing treaties in 1825, 1826, 1837, 1842, 1847, and 1854. He was also instrumental in resisting the efforts of the United States to
remove
Remove, removed or remover may refer to:
* Needle remover
* Polish remover
* Staple remover
* Remove (education)
* The degree of cousinship, i.e. "once removed" or "twice removed" - see Cousin chart
See also
* Deletion (disambiguation)
* Moving ...
the Ojibwa and in securing permanent
reservations for his people near Lake Superior.
Licensed Indian traders operated at this location and nearby stores at
Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation and other convenient places.
Today, the town's history is preserved at
Madeline Island Historical Museum.
Tourism
Tourism makes up a large part of the local economy. La Pointe, like
Bayfield (on the mainland), has become a popular tourist destination during the summer, when many local events are scheduled.
Downtown La Pointe offers many
bars,
restaurants, and other amenities. Camping, swimming, hiking, and other
outdoor recreational activities are abundant and popular on the island.
Travel
Madeline Island and the town of La Pointe are accessible by the Madeline Island Ferry line. The steel-hulled car/passenger ferries depart from
Bayfield on a set schedule. Many attractions on the island are within walking distance of the ferry dock, such as the museum and library. It may be necessary to bring a vehicle to reach attractions that are farther away, such as
Big Bay State Park. County Highway H serves as a main route in the community.
There is also a public boat marina near the ferry dock.
Ground transportation to the island during the winter (late December through February) is by way of an
ice road, which is open when ice levels are safe enough for vehicles to pass.
The
Major Gilbert Field Airport is a general aviation airport that features a 3,000-foot by 75-foot landing strip, as well as overnight tie-downs and an array of other services. The airport is publicly-owned by the Town of La Pointe.
Notable people
*
Kechewaishke, Native American leader
*
Michel Cadotte, prominent fur trader
*
Ozhaguscodaywayquay, noted Native American businesswoman
*
Thomas D. O'Brien, Justice of the
Minnesota
Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over t ...
Supreme Court
*
William Whipple Warren,
Minnesota Territory legislator
Gallery
File:Mad Ferry 4.jpg, Vehicles loading onto the Madeline Island ferry boat
File:BuffaloGrave.jpg, Headstone of Great Buffalo, in the '' La Pointe Indian Cemetery''.
File:Mad Ferry 2.jpg, The ''Island Queen'' ferry boat
File:Mad Ferry3.jpg, Madeline Island ferry boat
See also
*
Islands of the Midwest
*
List of islands of the United States
This is a partial list of notable islands of the United States, including its insular areas, which are listed at the end.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
* Sentinel Island, Lake Dillon
* Silver Dollar Island, Lake D ...
*
Islands of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes islands consist of about 35,000 islands (scattered throughout Great Lakes), created by uneven glacial activity in the Great Lakes Basin in Canada (Ontario) and the United States. The largest of these is Manitoulin Island in Lake ...
*
Wisconsin Tourism
*
Populated islands of the Great Lakes
References
External links
Jalbert, Andrew J. ''Schooner Lucerne: Lessons from a Great Lakes Shipwreck'' (July 27, 2007) SEA HISTORY magazine, The Wreck of the Schooner Lucerne.Official website for the Town of La PointeMadeline Island Chamber of CommerceMadeline Islandfrom Wisconsin Historical Society
Madeline Island Ferry LineBig Bay State Park
{{authority control
Towns in Ashland County, Wisconsin
Former county seats in Wisconsin
Piers in Wisconsin
Apostle Islands
Towns in Wisconsin