Aerial view, Peche Island, looking from Canada to Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

Peche Island, pronounced Peach Island, is an uninhabited, 86-acre Canadian owned island, located at the northern end of the Detroit River, at its opening into Lake Saint Clair. It is 1.2 miles north of the U. S. owned, Belle Isle Island. There are a number of lakes named Lake Saint Clair or Lake St Clair. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

Formally an Ontario Provincial Park, ownership was transferred to the City of Windsor in 1999. The Saint Lawrence Seaway passes 200 yards off its western shore and daily 1,000 foot-long ships pass. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The Saint Lawrence Seaway in its broadest sense is the system of canals that permits ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes as far as Lake Superior. ...

Known for it's Detroit city views, wide sandy beach and shallow river bottom, it has become a summer boater haven. Every evening, drift-wood campfire sights and smells fill the air as the giant ships of the world pass-by..

History: Early French explorer's maps state the island was named Isle au Large, or Isle du Large. Possible meanings include “at a distance,” since Peche Island is the farthest island upstream, on the Detroit River, before entering Lake St. Clair or “keep your distance,” because of dangerous shallows on the north side. There are a number of lakes named Lake Saint Clair or Lake St Clair. ...

The island was next called variations of Peche Isle, including Isle aux Pecheurs and Isle a la Peche, the French word for fish – the island was once used as a fishing station.

Early Settlement: The first permanent residents of the island were a French-Canadian family named Laforet dit Teno who moved to the island about 1800.

They shared the island with local natives who occupied the western side. According to Laforest family records, Jean bartered with the natives and gain ownership of the island, payment being livestock. The Laforests' remained on the island for about 100 years.

In 1857, ownership was transferred to the Crown by the Chippewa Indians, but there was no great rush to acquire grants as locals thought that the island was still owned the Laforet family. 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... One Called From A Distance (Midwewinind) of the White Earth Band, 1894 The Ojibwa or Chippewa (also Ojibwe, Ojibway, Chippeway or Anishinabek) are the third-largest group of Native Americans/First Nations in the United States, surpassed only by Cherokee and Navajo. ...

Hiram Walker’s sons purchased the property in 1883, for use as a summer home by their father and Hiram Walker attempted, for many years, to develop it. Canals were dug to bring in supplies and to ensure the flow of fresh water. Yachts were purchased – the “Pastime” and the “Lurline” for traveling to the island from Walker’s office and for cruises and parties on the river and lakes. Hiram Walker, from a painting that hangs in Willistead Manor, Windsor, Ontario Hiram Walker (4 July 1816 – 12 January 1899) was an American grocer and distiller, and the eponym of the famous distillery in Windsor, Ontario, Canada directly across from Detroit, Michigan. ... 1883 (MDCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Walker built a 54-room mansion. He planted many trees and established a Fruit-tree orchard, along with building a green house to cultivate flowers. He next added a golf course, stables and a carriage house. A generator, for electric power was constructed. Today, only old ruins, on the island, date back to the summer estate of Hiram Walker.

Currently: From November through March large numbers of waterfowl, especially Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye and Common Merganser are all found in the nearby waters. Peregrine Falcons and Bald Eagles are often attracted by these large flocks and can sometimes be seen perched in the island's larger treetops. Binomial name Aythya valisineria (Wilson, 1814) The Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) is a larger-sized diving duck. ... The word redhead can mean several things: For the sense of a redhead as a human being with red hair, see red hair. ... Binomial name Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838) The Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) is a small diving duck. ... Binomial name Bucephala clangula (Linnaeus, 1758) The Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is a medium sized sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes. ... Binomial name Mergus merganser Linnaeus, 1758 The North American Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), or Goosander in Europe, is a large sea duck, which is distributed over Europe, North Asia and North America. ... Binomial name Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771 The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a medium-sized falcon about the size of a large crow: 38-53 cm (15 to 21 inches) long. ... Binomial name Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linnaeus, 1766) The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey indigenous to North America, most recognizable as the national bird of the United States. ...

Transportation: There is no water taxi service to the island but boaters, canoers and kayakers can enjoy the island's trails and beaches.

Peche Island Rear Range Light.

Lighthouse: The Peche Island Rear Range Light was built in 1908 to mark the narrow passage from Lake St. Clair to the Detroit River and stood guarded the reef for some 75 years. In 1926 the height was raised to 66 feet and with that additional height the tower protected the passage until September 23, 1983, when it was scheduled for decommission and destruction. Learning of the plan to demolish the tower, a rescue effort was begun, by Marine City, Michigan to relocate it to a site in the Waterwork's Park. This was successful, but, not an easy task. The tower's weight is 35 tons and with the height of 66 feet and a diameter of 14 feet it took ingenuity and perseverance to accomplish. 1908 (MCMVIII) is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Marine City is a city located in St. ...