St. Joseph Island is a Canadian island in Lake Huron, near the mouth of the St. Marys River which connects Lake Huron with Lake Superior. It is the second largest island in Lake Huron (after Manitoulin Island) and the third largest in the Great Lakes overall, trailing Manitoulin and Lake Superior's Isle Royale.

St. Joseph Island has a year-round population of around 2000, and is connected to the mainland by the Highway 548 bridge spanning the North Channel of Lake Huron. There is another segment of Highway 548 that circles the island. The largest towns on the island are Hilton Beach and Richards Landing. Tourism is the primary source of income, while logging, maple syrup, and agriculture are of lesser importance. The island is a popular tourist destination, especially for residents from nearby Sault Ste. Marie.

History

St. Joseph Island's location at this vital gateway to Lake Superior made it important for trade with First Nations peoples and for defence. After Mackinac Island was handed over to the United States, the British chose to fortify equally strategic St. Joseph island in 1796. The British troops based at Fort St. Joseph captured the American Fort Mackinac during the War of 1812. After the war ended the fort was abandoned, but the site and remaining structures are now a National Historic Site, managed by Parks Canada.

Municipalities on St. Joseph Island

• Township of Hilton
• Township of Jocelyn
• Township of St. Joseph
• Village of Hilton Beach

See also

• Fort St. Joseph
• Islands of the Great Lakes

External links

• Village of Hilton Beach
• Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site,