A turn of the century era group camping on Indian Lake.
Camping at Indian Lake was all the rage for Manistique residents during the 1890’s and early 1900’s. An orderly row of tents lined both sides of a broad street near the present Bishop Baraga Shrine and cemetery. Clear and pleasant tasting drinking water was readily available from a nearby spring. Fresh milk and eggs for breakfast could be purchased at the Miller farm, which then occupied the future site of the Arrowhead Inn (now just a faded memory). In the evening, the campers gathered around the large bonfire which illuminated the grounds; while musicians with violins and harmonicas accompanied a chorus of campers singing the popular “Gay Nineties” ballads of the day. The children spent their days playing, swimming and eating homemade ice cream and their evenings roasting marshmallows and popping popcorn.
At the end of the street near the lake, Hiram Quick built a wood frame and cedar shingle model of a lime kiln which became known as the “beehive.” The site was used as a restaurant operated by Paul Redeker, where campers could order a hearty noon meal. It also served as a refreshment stand during dances. Judging by the innumerable images which have survived, the beehive must have provided a popular backdrop for aspiring portrait photographers.
A group of vacationers posed in front of the beehive. SCHS image from a glass plate negative.
A small steam powered tug boat was moored at the nearby dock, ready for use by vacationers for excursions on the lake, presumably for a fee.
In an era when bicycling was popular, a path extended from Manistique to the camp site. The five foot wide trail was paid for by local bicycle enthusiasts and built by Andrew Ekstrom using a mixture of cinders, clay and lime. A bicycle house was built near the wooden foundation timbers of Father Baraga’s mission church. Campers soon discovered the bicycle shelter could serve other uses. Decorated with brightly colored Japanese lanterns, the building became a venue for dances and other social gatherings.
Summer camping in tents at Indian Lake waned as more and more Manistique residents opted to build cabins along the lakeshore. Fortunately, one can still enjoy camping along beautiful Indian Lake by staying in one of the area’s well equipped state parks.
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