Peche Island

USA / Michigan / Grosse Pointe Park /
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Originally named Isle au Large, or Isle du Large, and then Isle à la Peche because of the large fish stocks off the coast.
By 1721 it was used as a French fishing station. Among many other things throughout its history.

Today it is a park administered by the city of Windsor, and is home to abundant wildlife, including as of 2011, 30 pairs of Bald Eagles.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peche_Island
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   42°20'45"N   82°55'46"W

Comments

  • Real estate developer E.J. Harris had plans to build a $30 million tourist attraction on Peche Island, which he had purchased from the Canadian government in 1965. http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=128
  • There is an urban legend surrounding this island. At the turn of the last century, there was an old couple who had lived on the island for many years. One of Hiram Walker's daughters wanted to purchase the Island from the old couple to build a summer estate for her father, but they refused to take any money and they refused to leave. So, the daughter went to the Canadian government and bought all the land on the island that the old couple didn't own and started constructing a huge mansion for her father, complete with canals and several fruit orchards. Finally, through the courts, the Walker family was able to force the old couple off of the island. Some say the old woman put a curse on the Walker family and the island itself, saying "No one will ever live here after me!" The fact of the matter is that before the completion of the mansion, Hiram Walker died in 1897. Soon after that, eldest son, Willis died. Then in 1915 another of Hiram`s sons, Edward died. In 1924 the Walker family lost control of Hiram Walker and Sons Distillery to a wealthy conglomerate from Toronto and the Walker family was forced to leave Canada. Over the years, many people have tried doing something with this island. Plans for resorts, airports, theme parks and a number of things were floated but never got off the ground. Now the island is largely in it`s natural state and is a haven for local boaters. Traces of the old Walker estate can still be seen, including a foundation and a stone bridge over one of the many canals that still survive, however mostly overgrown. That old woman was right after all, no one ever lived on the island after her.
  • The stories about Peche Island hold a strong part of my history as I am a descendant of the Laforest family.I grew up listening to the stories of my Pepe's family's ancestors and Peche Island.It is just too bad that after living on the island for many generations,it wasn't accepted by some members of the law that the Laforest family was evicted from the island.Such is life,I guess.
  • Me has the just of the curse story. It's a little different than that, but I don't have the time to write it all out. Here is a great website that tells the story: http://www.walkervilletimes.com/curse-peche-island.html
  • I too am a decendant of the Laforet family. Very sad indeed......Susan laforet-Lester
This article was last modified 15 years ago