You may recall these guys from a really hot day last summer. Seems like they've sprouted one more this year.

And they're so much cleaner, too! :)

When they made the border, the drew a line through the center of the Lake. Unfortunately for Canada, the map was old and wrong. It showed the island as being closer to to the UP and on the American side of the border. The agreements were signed and when the error was found the border was moved and still included the island.

Had a fun time at the Aura Jamboree! The music was great and the weather was good, too. Our bean soup was the best ever, and we met lots of new friends. Thanks to Grandbaby Madilyn (22 months) for talking it up on this site Friday!

It was no error which made Isle Royale part of the United States. It was part of the Treaty of Paris, negotiated by Benjamin Franklin in 1783. In spite of the fact it is closer to Minnesota, formal control of the island passed to Michigan in 1873.

Read more about Isle Royale at the University of Michigan's Internet Public Library.

Michelle, Remember when we use to go to the Keeweenaw for summer family vacations. Hope you are having a wonderful time this year. E-mail your brother.

I was told many times by a friend, as my girls were growing up, that "There is a special place in heaven for the mother of 3 girls." I'm sure we can re-word it a bit to "4 boys".......:)

Supposedly the rumors precious metals; one specifically of an island of copper, were already being being told and Ben Franklin jogged the boundary line around Isle Royale.

Somewhere years ago I'd read or heard that those responsible for the treaty knew exactly what they were doing. Sounds like something that rascally Ben Franklin would do, hey?

I also had a good time at the Aura Jamboree. Unfortunately, didn't have any bean soap. There sure are a lot of talented people who attend this function. Looking forward to next year!

Was at the Aura Jamboree too. The beans were great, so was the great music and cold beer!!! Pictures can be found in the Z-Man's photo album.

All I know, regarding the Isle, it's a rare
opportunity a lad has when he can say he's
swam with moose on an inland lake/island.
What an incredible experience (circa 1978). I
hear the loons and the wolves calling me back
(someday).

I also heard the Ben Franklin story, from my Michigan history prof at Tech in the late 60s. Sounds just like what he'd do, doesn't it?

I also had a great time at Aura Jamboree. Went there for the first time last year and had a grand time. I will keep on going back every year as long as hey keep on having it. I loved every kind of music they had...........and other things too!!

A little info on Isle Royale: In a disputed treaty with the Chippewa and Menominee tribes, the U.S. claimed ownership of Isle Royale in 1843. Contesting this treaty, the Chippewas received what is now the reservation land at L'Anse/Baraga in the La Pointe Treaty of 1854, as a sort of consolation prize.
According to Chippewa legend, Isle Royale (also
called Minong, Menong, or Michicopoten)was made of pure copper, and drifted the waters of Lake Superior guided by the manitou Missibizzi. Early French maps had the island placed in numerous locations throughout Lake Superior.

In 1981, I wrote a term paper on native copper mining on Isle Royale. The ancient mining pits are still discernible at Mc Cargo Cove, (although
it has been 25 years since I last visited). If you have a sense of history it can be a very eerie experience. The A. E. Seaman Mineralogical
museum on MTU's campus had, at one time, a few hammerstones used by the ancient pit miners on Isle Royale. If you are at all into rocks, don't
miss this museum!

We start out with 4 boys at Fort Wilkins and get a super history lesson in treaties and Isle Royale. I just love how knowledgeable everyone is and how willing they are to share, give links, add to the discussion. But although a number of people mentioned the Aura Jamboree, no one really said what and where it was.

The Aura Jamboree started out about 30 years ago as a fiddlers' jamboree. The accordions & others joined in on the fun. Aura is north of L'anse on the peninsula to the east of the Keweenaw Peninsula. There is no town there anymore, just a town hall. That's where the Jamboree takes place, and the "town" comes alive with over 2,000 visitors arriving for the music.
Money raised from the event goes to refurbish the town hall and provide scholarships to kids who wish to further their knowledge in the arts. During the jamboree there are different musicians on stage every 15 minutes or so, starting Friday at 5:00 p.m. and beginning again Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. While the acts are performing on stage, there are many more musical groups around the lawn on all sides of the hall. Musicians wander around from group to group joining in whereever they want. Each evening there is an "old-time dance". There is also a lot of good food, including the bean soup we make every year in a 55 gallon kettle outside.

Doe's the bean soup provide the music?

Mimi and I went to Aura, too. This was my 6th year. I play banjo for Kilpela and Friends and other groups, Ron Jarvinen and the Backwoods Bandits, Les Ross the 'Hulivili Huuliharppu' harmonica player, Stan and Joan Baumel and Gary Schlais and Joanne Palonen. We really have a nice time. I love all that music. Lots of bluegrass, too. And folk music. Said 'Hi' to Marsha at the bean soup pot. Hi again, Marsha. That is one BIG bean pot! Besides that, I have cousins who live in Pelkie, Aura, Chassell and L'Anse. We all go to Aura.

Hi Marsha-

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a lot of fun!

Some days, this page is really amazing. And some, even more so. All Isle Royal was to me until know is an interesting example for prey-predator-relations full of surprises from wildlife-lections at the university.
Ancient copper-mining?!? ...!

LOL at Kevin K. Lodi, CA.

Dam Guy..Do you have any idea how many pre- historic copper storage pits there are are on Isle Royale?

Mary Lou,
The pits were created into solid rock - following veins of copper that were exposed to the surface -
by hammering (with hammerstones) the rock around the copper to free it from the bedrock. Most pits ended up 3-6 ft in dia and 4-6 ft deep, though some were much larger. I don't know how many pits were found on Isle Royale, I'd guess 50-100 or more. Alot of mining was done by using these pits as a starting point and continue to follow the copper veins deeper.

Be sure to check out Mary Drew's Isle Royale Album in the guest photo gallery. You have to go to the last page of individual galleries to find it. It makes an excellent slide show. It's like a 15 minute vacation when you watch it! Thanks for the nice work you did, Mary!

Your welcome Connie! Thanks for the plug for my gallery, too. Here's a link for anyone interested in viewing my Isle Royale album as a slideshow: 15 minute Isle Royale vacation! :-)

Nicely Done, Mary! Watching your slide show sure beats just talking about Isle Royale. Have a nice day today!

Very nice show of the Rock Harbor area.Spent the late fifties and early sixtys at the Isle.I was young between 5 and 16 years old. Dad was a park ranger on the north side of the island.Fell into many of the mines at McCargo Cove eating thimbleberrys! Quite a beautifull place though I didn't appreciate it at this young an age, Id love to visit again!

Hello,
What a great forum you have! This was my first year at Aura and will be back next. It was awesome! If any body knows how to contact Jessie Dakota please direct her to Aura Photos I promised her pics but we never got a chance to exchange email addy's. Thanks,