St Joseph Island is 28 km south-east of Sault Ste. Marie. It is the most westerly Canadian island on the North Channel, and is accessed by a toll-free bridge
opened in 1972 from highway 17 E. St Joseph Island sovers about 140,000 acres, and
is 28 miles long, and 15 miles long. The Island wa originally called Anipich,
the ojobway word for "place of the hardwood trees." The Island was renamed by
the Jesuits who were building a new church to serve the Indians.
St Joseph Island is home to Ontario's largest maple sugar producer, and is known for its deposits of
pinkish jasper conglomerate (pudding stone). Ther is also great fishing, with especially walleye and pike in the
streams around the island, and Perch and bass in the waters around it.
The island's small town and rural atmosphere attracts artisans and vacationers
alike. the major communities are Richards Landing on the north shore, Hilton
Beach on the northeast, and Kentvale on the southwest. The town
even has a private airstrip at Gawas Bay.
Attractions:
St Joseph Island Museum
3.5 miles from bridge
A four building complex outses over 2,000 artifacts from the Island's past.
Adcock's Woodland Gardens
South on Highway 548, just north of U Line and the Fifth Side Road
705-246-2579
Adcock's offers both gardens and mature hardwood forests. The gardens include borer, rock, water and bog gardens. The forests include deer and moose, often with tracks. The Garden is open from May 15 to September 30th, form 10 am to dusk. Admission free or by donation.
Fort St Joseph
705-246-2664
Bult in 1796 on the southeast shore of the island became the most westerly
military post in British Upper Canada, and also helped protect fur trading
routes until 1812. The Americans destroyed the fort in 1814, in retaliation of
hte British occupancy of Fort Michilimackinac. A modern interpretation centre is
built on the site of the ruins, and depicts military, Indian and fur trading
themes, as well as provide background ont eh area's natural history.
Canadian heritage site open Victoria Day (mid-May) to Candian thanksgiving (mid-October).
Annual Events:
Art at the Dock (Hilton Beach, mid-July), Cornfest (Richards Landing, mid-August), maple Syrup Festival (Gilbertson's Pancake House early April), Sault Youth Festival (Richards Landing, mid-July)
The island's small town and rural atmosphere attracts artisans and vacationers
alike. the major communities are Richards Landing on the north shore, Hilton
Beach on the northeast, and Kentvale on the southwest. The town
even has a private airstrip at Gawas Bay.
Adcock's Woodland Gardens