Why This Michigan Island Is Called ‘America’s Emerald Isle’

When you hear "Emerald Isle", you likely think of Ireland, or, possibly, the phantom island between Australia and Antarctica. But did you know that Michigan is home to what many call "America's Emerald Isle"?

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Michigan's Beaver Island Nicknamed 'America's Emerald Isle'

Beaver Island is located in Lake Michigan off the coasts of both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

You may think that it earned this nickname due to the lush, green (or, some would say, "emerald") forest land on the island, but that's not the case.

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Why is Beaver Island Nicknamed 'America's Emerald Isle'?

The island earned the moniker when many settlers of Irish descent started to make the island their home. It's said that

Once they settled in, they wrote to their families and friends about 'America's Emerald Isle.' - BeaverIsland.net 

Back then, the folks of Beaver Island were predominantly fishermen and their families. In fact, according to BeaverIsland.net, the fishing was so good on Beaver Island that at one point, it was the largest provider of freshwater fish in the United States.

Tourism on Michigan's Beaver Island

These days, the island, which is home to 616 full-time residents, is a popular tourist destination in Michigan.

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There are seven hotels/bed and breakfasts on the island, as well as over seventy homes and cottages for rent. It's also home to six restaurants/bakeries and nine stores/shops.

How Do You Get to Beaver Island, Michigan?

Beaver Island isn't carless like Mackinac Island, but it IS a bit tricky to get to. Your options are to take a ferry or a plane. Both the ferries and the airlines that service the island are located 32 miles away from the island in Charlevoix.

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While flying is the faster option (roughly a 15-minute flight, according to this Reddit thread), it is more expensive. The ferry is cheaper, but it'll take you three hours to get from Charlevoix to Beaver Island (cue the theme song from Gilligan's Island).