St. Joseph Island (Ontario)
St. Joseph Iceland is an island in Lake Huron. It belongs to the Algoma District of Ontario, Canada.
The 365 km ² large island located near the mouth of the Saint Marys River, which drains Lake Superior to Lake Huron through. In the north, St. Joseph Iceland is separated by the St. Joseph Channel from mainland Ontario. In the south of Munuscong Channel and Lake Munuscong form the border with the United States. In the southeast the Potagannissing Bay, which forms part of the North Channel lies.
St. Joseph Iceland has a year-round population of about 2,000. It is connected to mainland Ontario on the Bernt Gilbertson Bridge. This spans a side bay of the North Channel and transferred to the Highway 548
The main towns on the island are Hilton Beach and Richards Landing. Tourism is the main economic factor. There are also forestry, the production of maple syrup, and agriculture. The island is a popular holiday destination for the inhabitants of the nearby Sault Ste. Marie.
History
The location of St. Joseph Iceland at the then economically important connection to Lake Superior made them important for trade with the First Nations.
After Mackinac Iceland was handed over to the United States, the British decided in 1796, the same strategic St. Joseph Iceland to attach. The British troops from Fort St. Joseph conquered the American Fort Mackinac during the British -American War. After the war, the fort was abandoned. Today there is (46 ° 3 ' 50 "N, 83 ° 56' 39" W46.063888888889 - 83.944166666667 ), at the southern tip of the island, operated by Ontario Parks Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site of Canada. In the immediate vicinity of the cultural monument is also a bird sanctuary.
Communities on the St. Joseph Iceland
- Township of Hilton
- Township of Jocelyn
- Township of St. Joseph
- Village of Hilton Beach