Tag Archives: Antoine Ossawinamakee

The Naming of the Ossawinamakee

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A late 1800’s photo of the Ossawinamakee Hotel (SCHS)

A late 1800’s photo of the Ossawinamakee Hotel (SCHS)

            During the early spring of 1883 the citizens of Manistique eagerly awaited the opening of a fancy new hotel. Wright E. Clarke, editor of the Schoolcraft County Pioneer, reported regularly on the progress being made. By late March of 1883 the masons were finishing up with plastering the walls, and the painters would soon be busy with their brushes. Clarke predicted that all would be in readiness in time for the opening of navigation on Lake Michigan in the spring. Clarke was overly optimistic. The hotel room doors did not arrive until the second week in May and were “fitted up” as rapidly as possible. The hotel was compelled to welcome a few travelers before work was totally completed, but by the end of May, 1883, the Ossawinamakee was finally open for business. Read More...

Baraga Park on Indian Lake, where (then Fr.) Baraga celebrated his first Mass

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Baraga Park on Indian Lake, where (then Fr.) Baraga celebrated his first Mass in what is now the Diocese of Marquette, having come across Lake Michigan in a canoe. (1833)

Baraga Park on Indian Lake, where (then Fr.) Baraga celebrated his first Mass in what is now the Diocese of Marquette, having come across Lake Michigan in a canoe. (1833)

Manistique is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Lake Michigan and is the county seat for Schoolcraft County. Schoolcraft County’s orginal inhabitants were members of the Chippewa Tribes. As a result of the War of 1812, the father of Antoine Ossawinamakee was given a portion of Schoolcraft County. Their primary settlement, consisting of 10 to 12 houses, was on Indian Lake which was three miles from Manistique. In 1833, Fr Frederick Baraga established his first Native American Mission at Indian Lake and converted all but one of the inhabitants to Catholicism. Father Baraga continued his missionary work but visited the Mission Church at Indian Lake frequently. In 1853, he became the bishop of Sault St. Marie.
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