Grosse Ile (Michigan)
Encyclopedia
Grosse Ile is the largest island in the Detroit River
and is the most populated island in the state of Michigan
. It is on the American
side of the river and is part of Wayne County
. The island is approximately 9.6 mi² (24.9 km²) and has a population of 10,894. The island is commonly believed to be conterminous with the overall Grosse Ile Township
, but in actuality, the township consists of over a dozen islands— many of which are very small and uninhabited. To clarify this confusion, local residents refer to the island of Grosse Ile as the Big Island, Main Island, or simply The Island to distinguish it from the township as a whole. A large number of islands in the Detroit River are closely connected to Grosse Ile.
The name comes from the French
translation for Large Island. The island was first given to the early French explorers by the Potawatomi
in 1776. The Potawatomi referred to the island as Kitcheminishen. Brothers William
and Alexander Macomb were the first European owners of the island. The island was first surveyed in 1819 and was incorporated into Monguagon Township
in 1829. The island remained sparsely populated as an independent community but did not receive autonomy until the formation of Grosse Ile Township on October 27, 1914. Today, Grosse Ile is considered a Downriver
community as part of Metro Detroit
, although the island is markedly different from the surrounding communities.
The island is bordered on the west by the Trenton Channel and is connected to mainland Michigan by the Wayne County Bridge
in the middle of the island and the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge
on the northern end. The island itself is divided by two canals. The Thorofare Canal cuts diagonally across the middle of the island. Another unnamed and unnavigable canal cuts through the northern portion of the island. The area north of this canal to the northern point of the island, known as Hennepin Point (after Louis Hennepin
), is undeveloped and houses a historic lighthouse. The Grosse Ile Municipal Airport
occupies the southernmost area of Grosse Ile. Grosse Ile island is also the center of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
.
Detroit River
The Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
and is the most populated island in the state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It is on the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
side of the river and is part of Wayne County
Wayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
. The island is approximately 9.6 mi² (24.9 km²) and has a population of 10,894. The island is commonly believed to be conterminous with the overall Grosse Ile Township
Grosse Ile Township, Michigan
Grosse Ile Township is a general law township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The township is situated on several islands in the Detroit River, but the largest island is also referred to as simply Grosse Ile. The name comes from French Grosse Île, meaning "Big Island"...
, but in actuality, the township consists of over a dozen islands— many of which are very small and uninhabited. To clarify this confusion, local residents refer to the island of Grosse Ile as the Big Island, Main Island, or simply The Island to distinguish it from the township as a whole. A large number of islands in the Detroit River are closely connected to Grosse Ile.
The name comes from the French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
translation for Large Island. The island was first given to the early French explorers by the Potawatomi
Potawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
in 1776. The Potawatomi referred to the island as Kitcheminishen. Brothers William
William Macomb (merchant)
William Macomb was a merchant and political figure of Upper Canada.He was born in northern Ireland around 1751 and came to North America with his family in 1755...
and Alexander Macomb were the first European owners of the island. The island was first surveyed in 1819 and was incorporated into Monguagon Township
Monguagon Township, Michigan
Mongaugon Township, is a former township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Quarries here were worked by the French before 1749. American forces defeated British and Indian forces at the Battle of Monguagon during the War of 1812...
in 1829. The island remained sparsely populated as an independent community but did not receive autonomy until the formation of Grosse Ile Township on October 27, 1914. Today, Grosse Ile is considered a Downriver
Downriver
Downriver is the unofficial name for a collection of 18 suburban cities and townships in Wayne County, Michigan south of Detroit along the western shore of the Detroit River....
community as part of Metro Detroit
Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit which shares an international border with Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit metropolitan area is the second largest U.S. metropolitan area...
, although the island is markedly different from the surrounding communities.
The island is bordered on the west by the Trenton Channel and is connected to mainland Michigan by the Wayne County Bridge
Wayne County Bridge
The Wayne County Bridge is a swing bridge that crosses the Trenton Channel in the Detroit River. Located in Wayne County, it connects Grosse Ile Township to mainland Trenton. It is one of two bridges connecting the island of Grosse Ile to the mainland — the other being the tolled Grosse Ile Toll...
in the middle of the island and the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge
Grosse Ile Toll Bridge
The Grosse Ile Toll Bridge is a swing bridge that crosses the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River connecting Grosse Ile Township, Michigan to the mainland in Riverview, Michigan which is located in Wayne County, Michigan.-History:...
on the northern end. The island itself is divided by two canals. The Thorofare Canal cuts diagonally across the middle of the island. Another unnamed and unnavigable canal cuts through the northern portion of the island. The area north of this canal to the northern point of the island, known as Hennepin Point (after Louis Hennepin
Louis Hennepin
Father Louis Hennepin, O.F.M. baptized Antoine, was a Catholic priest and missionary of the Franciscan Recollect order and an explorer of the interior of North America....
), is undeveloped and houses a historic lighthouse. The Grosse Ile Municipal Airport
Grosse Ile Municipal Airport
Grosse Ile Municipal Airport is a public airport located two miles south of the central business district of Grosse Ile, in Wayne County, Michigan, United States. It is owned by the Township of Grosse Ile.Although most U.S...
occupies the southernmost area of Grosse Ile. Grosse Ile island is also the center of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is the only international wildlife refuge in North America. It was established in 2001 and is managed jointly by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service. The refuge is located along the western coast of Lake...
.
See also
- Detroit RiverDetroit RiverThe Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
- Grosse Ile Municipal AirportGrosse Ile Municipal AirportGrosse Ile Municipal Airport is a public airport located two miles south of the central business district of Grosse Ile, in Wayne County, Michigan, United States. It is owned by the Township of Grosse Ile.Although most U.S...
- Grosse Ile Toll BridgeGrosse Ile Toll BridgeThe Grosse Ile Toll Bridge is a swing bridge that crosses the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River connecting Grosse Ile Township, Michigan to the mainland in Riverview, Michigan which is located in Wayne County, Michigan.-History:...
- Grosse Ile TownshipGrosse Ile Township, MichiganGrosse Ile Township is a general law township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The township is situated on several islands in the Detroit River, but the largest island is also referred to as simply Grosse Ile. The name comes from French Grosse Île, meaning "Big Island"...
- List of islands in the Detroit River
- Wayne County BridgeWayne County BridgeThe Wayne County Bridge is a swing bridge that crosses the Trenton Channel in the Detroit River. Located in Wayne County, it connects Grosse Ile Township to mainland Trenton. It is one of two bridges connecting the island of Grosse Ile to the mainland — the other being the tolled Grosse Ile Toll...