Administered by Grosse Ile Township, Grosse Ile is the largest island in the Detroit River, and the most populated island in Michigan.
Grosse Ile Township includes several smaller islands very near the larger Grosse Ile. The larger island is itself technically composed of two islands separated by the Thorofare Canal, which cuts the island diagonally from east to west, connecting the main channel of the Detroit River with the Trenton Channel. In all, the township consists of fifteen islands, including Grosse Ile, Calf Island, Celeron Island, Elba Island, Fox Island, Hickory Island, Mamajuda Island, Meso Isle, Powder House Island, Round Island, Stony Island, Sugar Island, and Swan Island.
Calf Island is an 11-acre island off the southwest coast of the main island. Part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, it is uninhabited and serves as a location for migrating birds.
Near the mouth of the Detroit River, Celeron Island is the southernmost island in the township, and part of the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. It is uninhabited.
Off the southeast coast of the main island, Elba Island is an elongated island separated from the main island by the Oldani Marsh, and connected by a bridge.
Fox Island is a small, privately-owned island east of Elba Island.
Connected to Meso Isle by the East River Road Bridge, Hickory Island is the southernmost populated island in the township. It includes the Grosse Ile Yacht Club and some residential subdivisions consisting of moderately sized homes on small lots.
Mamajuda Island is east of the northern tip of Grosse Ile. Once a 30-acre island, the island contained the Mama Juda Lighthouse, built in 1849. Due to serious erosion in the 1950s, the entire island disappeared. Although it is essentially gone, it reappears when water levels are low.
Meso Isle is north of Hickory Island and west of Sugar Island. Bridges connect it to Hickory Island and Grosse Ile.
Powder House Island is a small island northeast of Fox Island, and sometimes known as Dynamite Island.
Round Island is an undeveloped and uninhabited island separated from Grosse Ile by a narrow canal used for docking boats at the Ford Yacht Club.
Also uninhabited, Stoney Island is a 52-acre island east of Grosse Ile and west of the international border from Crystal Island. Most of the island is part of the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area.
Once a popular resort location, with an amusement park, the island fell into disuse in the 1940s, and is now part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, with access to the island restricted.
Swan Island is the smallest of the inhabited islands. It is separated from the main island by a narrow canal and connected by a bridge.
Grosse Ile, the main island of the township, was inhabited by the Potawatomi tribes for about a thousand years before Europeans came. French explorers visited the island in the late 17th century, and the British took control of the island in 1763 after the French and Indian War, although the Potawatomie continued to inhabit the island.
Tribal chiefs deeded the island to William and Alexander Macomb on July 6, 1776, and their heirs began renting sections to tenants. Development began in the 1800s, largely consisting of summer homes along the shores. Wealthy Detroiters began building estates on the islands. John Kelsey, founder of the Kelsey Wheel Company, organized the Grosse Ile Golf Club and Country Club in 1918, and an airport was built in the 1920s.
Also in the 1920s, the Navy began to build seaplanes and dirigibles on the island, and the US Naval Air Station Grosse Ile opened in 1929. The air station was one of the primary training stations for US Navy and Royal Air Force pilots during World War II. The base was closed in 1969, and the grounds became the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport.
Two historic swing truss bridges connect Grosse Ile to the mainland. The privately-owned Grosse Ile Toll Bridge requires the payment of a fee. The other is owned by the Wayne County Road Commission, and doesn't cost anything. Because of this, it is locally known as the Grosse Ile Free Bridge. Through these bridges, access to the main island by car is by either Bridge Road or the Grosse Ile Parkway.
Situated in the Detroit Metro Region, the island is proximal to several Michigan cities and villages. Those within twenty-five miles of the island include Trenton, Gibraltar, Riverview, Wyandotte, Woodhaven, Rockwood, Southgate, Flat Rock, South Rockwood, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, River Rouge, Allen Park, Estral Beach, Taylor, Melvindale, Carleton, Romulus, Inkster, Detroit, and Dearborn. Although there is no road connection, Grosse Island Township is across the river from Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada.
Appropriate topics for this category include those relating to the main island of Grosse Ile and the other islands of the township.
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Recommended Resources
Owned by Jeffrey Forrester, the Grosse Ile, Michigan law firm handles legal areas related to family law, probate and estate planning, DUIs, medical malpractice, and personal injury claims, as well as legal issues dealing with wireless technology. An introduction to the owner and chief attorney is included, along with additional details regarding its legal services and areas of practice. The office address is provided, along with hours, a telephone number, and a contact form.
https://forresterlawoffice.com/
The hardware store began as an extension of the Richardson's Gas Station in 1954, and Moon Milliman built its current building in 1955, on Macomb Street, across from the gas station. It has expanded and changed over the years, and now includes 7,500 square feet of retail space with 750 square-foot warehouse storage. Its location, hours, and contacts are published on the site, along with an overview of its products, categorized by type. The Bootleggers Den, a liquor store, is included.
https://gihardware.net/
Owned by Grosse Ile Township, KONZ is a couple of miles south of the village, on the site of former Naval Reserve Air Base Ile, later known as Naval Air Station Grosse Ile. The 607-acre airport has two concrete runways. Special events sponsored by the airport are featured here, along with pilot information, the adjoining Grosse Ile Commerce Park, and a guide to area food, attractions, lodging, and transportation. Administrative contacts, rules, and regulations are presented.
http://www.grosseileairport.com/
Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church
Chartered in 1957, and located on Horsemill Road on the north end of Grosse Ile, Michigan, GIPC is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). An introduction to the church and its website is provided, along with its history, directions, staff, and contacts. Its ministries and services to the community and beyond are outlined, and a weekly schedule, calendar of activities and events, and links to videos of sermons and other events are provided. Contributions to the church may be made online.
http://www.gipc.org/
Providing a K-12 education for students in the Township of Grosse Ile, Michigan, the public school district operates Park Lane Elementary School, Meridian Elementary School, Grosse Ile Middle School, and Grosse Ile High School, each of which is featured here, including a student handbook, course guides, staff directory, and access to various documents and forms. District departments and contacts, its athletics programs, enrollment information, and resources for parents and students are included.
https://www.gischools.org/
In business since 1985, the Grosse Ile, Michigan construction company has an emphasis on concrete and masonry. Serving commercial and residential clients, the company can build driveways, patios, pool decks, walkways, basement floors, blockwork, glass block, brickwork, and precast steps, as well as exposed aggregate, stamped decorative concrete, a concrete overlay and resurfacing, colored concrete, concrete crack repairs, tuckpointing, brick repairs, and others.
https://miconstructioninc.com/
The current building housing the Roman Catholic Church in Grosse Ile, Michigan was constructed in 1968 and was designed as a ten-sided structure by the architect, George Diehl, with stained glass windows designed by Margaret Bouchez Cavanaugh, and the gathering space was added to the church in 1990. Part of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Sacred Heart's history, parish staff, church bulletins, and its publication policies are stated, along with live videos and contact information.
https://sacredheartgi.org/
The Grosse Ile, Michigan congregation is a member of the Worldwide Anglican Community. A description of its worship services is provided, and a statement of faith is included. Service schedules, a calendar of events, and an overview of its ministries are noted, and worship services may be viewed live through Zoom, while an archive of recorded services is also available, along with family videos, promotional videos, and a photo gallery. Contributions may be made online.
http://saintjamesgi.net/
Located at the intersection of Bellevue and West River Roads, overlooking the Detroit River, and attached to the Water's Edge Golf Course in Grosse Ile, Michigan, the restaurant is closed on Mondays and has reduced hours on Sundays. Its location, hours of operation, food menu, catering menu, and an introduction to the restaurant and its proprietors are presented. Its menu includes appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and a line of entrees, as well as a kid's menu.
https://www.smokiesonthewater.com/
Township of Grosse Ile, Michigan
Situated in Wayne County, the civil township includes several islands in the Detroit River, the largest of which is Grosse Ile. The official township website posts official announcements and notices, including meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes. The township supervisor, treasurer, clerk, manager, trustees, commissions, and staff are identified, along with an overview of township departments, programs, and services. Local churches, organizations, and businesses are featured.
https://www.grosseile.com/
