Turtle Island: The Only Island Made of Sand & Gravel in Michigan

Turtle Island is now less than an acre – quite a change from what it once was in the 1800s: a 6-acre island. Years of erosion from storms have almost washed away the whole island...but it still clings on.

Even though it's small, the island is split between Michigan and Ohio – right down the middle. Why?

According to a past article of mine, “After a mostly harmless skirmish between Michigan and Ohio in 1836 - referred to as the 'Toledo War' - the island was attributed as Michigan property. Finally in 1973, the Supreme Court split the ownership between the two states.”

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Since the 1800s, the island was used for a lighthouse (built in 1866) and included the lighthouse keeper's residence, and a small farm.

Eventually someone got the bright idea “Hey! Let's put a house on the island.” That didn't work out so hot as you'll see in the photo gallery below. All attempts to put a house or summer resort on the island failed with weather and storms completely ruining them.

The concrete wall you see in the photos was built in 1883 to protect the lighthouse from damage caused by Lake Erie waves.

Although the island could be completely gone in the years to come, for now it holds the title of “The Only Sand and Gravel Island in Lake Erie.”

The island has been sold a couple of times, most recently in 2022 to a private owner.
Smart idea or not?

When the Toledo Harbor Light began operating in 1904, Turtle Island Lighthouse wasn't needed anymore and therefore decommissioned. Too bad – because for the 72 years it operated, there were no shipwrecks within the scope of Turtle Island.