Madeline Island Museum

More from the website of the Madeline Island Museum:

"The Madeline Island Museum comprises the original museum and a modern expansion. The original museum is four historic log structures that have been relocated and connected together. It includes the only remaining building of the American Fur Company complex built at La Pointe in 1835, making it the oldest structure on Madeline Island. That building is adjoined to an old barn, the former La Pointe town jail, and the Old Sailor's Home, which had been built as a memorial to a drowned sailor. In 1991 the museum expanded by adding the Capser Center and, in 1995, the connecting Walkway Gallery."

Above photo taken July 9, 2011.

Madeline Island Museum

The Madeline Island Museum is owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society. The following is from the museum's website:

"Picturesque and historic Madeline Island first cast its spell on Leo Capser in 1903. In the mid-1950's, the love he felt for the island manifested itself in the Madeline Island Museum."

The above photo is dated July 2010.

Bears

Dale says he's observed bears on the Island. Personally, I've never seen one up there but I'm waiting for the day as I've never seen one out of captivity. Once a mama bear and her cub wandered in to the backyard of Dale's Island apartment. He's also told stories of seeing them on some of his bike rides. The one you see in the above picture was for sale at an Island shop.

Photo taken June 2011.

Madeline Island Museum

The sign you see pictured here is outside the Madeline Island Museum. It reads:

MADELINE ISLAND

Known to the Ojibway Indian as Moningwunakauning, "The Home of the Golden Breasted Woodpecker"

The largest of the Apostle Islands was one of the earliest areas of Indian settlement, fur trade, missionary activity and commercial fishing in the interior of North America. It was discovered by French explorers in 1659. Trading posts were built here for the French by Le Sueur in 1693 and for the British by Michel Cadotte in 1793. In 1834 this site and present La Pointe dock became headquarters for the Northern Outfit of the American Fur Company. Missionary operations began about 1830 with the erection of a Protestant Church followed by Father Baraga's Catholic Church.

Erected by Madeline Island Historical Museum

Photo from June 2011.

Another View from Dale's Deck

This shot was taken from Dale's deck and is looking at the lot next door. Mr. and Mrs. C own that property and although Mr. C, who I believe is in his 80's now, doesn't have his driver's license any more he still gets to mow the lawn. I'm told he gets quite a bit of enjoyment from doing this job. The C's have lived on Madeline Island all their lives.

More Views from Dale's Deck

Photos from 2010.

Joe and Dale 2011

This photo was actually taken at Maggie's Restaurant in Bayfield by our friend Gary. Gary and Warren were up to visit us in July of 2011.

Joe and Dale 2010 Part 2

A photo-shopped version of the same photo used in the last post.

Joe and Dale 2010

Dale and I on Madeline Island in 2010. We are sitting on the deck of Dale's apartment. Our friends Julie and Regina were visiting. Julie took this picture on July 17, 2010.

Irises

The irises outside Dale's apartment were beautiful this year. Photo taken June 2011.

The Post Office on Madeline Island

The town of La Pointe has it's own post office which is located next to the ferry landing. Photo taken in 2010.

Tourists

According to the 2000 census the population of the Island was at 246 people. Dale says that during the high season part time residents cause the population to swell up to about 5,000. Tourists who stay for a brief time or who are just doing day trips also help keep the Island especially busy in July and August. Above photo from July 2011.

More Lupines

Photo dated June 19, 2010.

The Lupines

Dale told me that the Island was devoid of lupines many years ago and that his neighbor, Mrs. C, brought a lot of them over from the mainland in her younger days. Although they've all but disappeared by this time of year, they look like this in June. This photo dated June 20, 2010.