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45-520: The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is located in Bayfield, Wisconsin , on Lake Superior, the "largest, cleanest, and coldest of the Great Lakes." The lakeshore comprises beaches, cliffs, water, and 21 islands. Of its area, 42,308 acres is land and 27,232 acres is water, extending 1/4 mile from the 155 miles of shoreline. Madeline Island , with commercial establishments of the town of La Pointe ,

90-680: A group of 21 islands in Lake Superior . Madeline Island is the largest of the Apostle Islands and the only one not in the National Lakeshore. A ferry to Madeline Island links Bayfield with La Pointe, Wisconsin , a community on the island. As of the census of 2020 , the population was 584. The population density was 678.3 inhabitants per square mile (261.9/km ). There were 458 housing units at an average density of 531.9 per square mile (205.4/km ). The racial makeup of

135-435: A quarter-mile of any island shore requires obtaining a free permit from the park's visitor center. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has more lighthouses than any other National Park Service area (eight historic towers on six islands). For most of the century, the six Apostle Islands Lighthouses have guided ships and boats through the rough waters of Lake Superior and through the Apostle Islands. The Sand Island lighthouse

180-418: A result of the glaciers that once covered North America. "Geologically they are originally part of the main land at the edge of the great rift or fault which formed the depression to which the waters of Lake Superior collected." When the glaciers melted, waves from the waters of Lake Superior caused erosion that formed the islands. The islands are composed of mostly red sandstone because of the glacial shift. It

225-682: A unique bog dune ecosystem can be found near deep bays and enclosed lagoons . According to the National Park Service , "One of the greatest concentrations of black bears in North America is found on Stockton Island in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Bears also regularly inhabit Sand and Oak islands, and, due to their mobility, may be found on just about any of the Apostle Islands." "The Lakeshore provides important nesting habitat for

270-669: Is a city in Bayfield County, Wisconsin , United States. The population was 584 at the 2020 census , making it the city with the smallest population in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Highway 13 serves as a main route in the community. Formerly the county seat and home to industries in lumbering and commercial fishing, today it is a tourist and resort destination referred to as the "Gateway to the Apostle Islands ". Bayfield

315-670: Is known in the Anishinaabe language as Oshki-oodena ("New-town"), as opposed to Superior, Wisconsin , which is known as Gete-oodena ("Old-town"), in reference to the Ojibwa migration. The Bayfield Maritime Museum and Bayfield Heritage Museum are the city's two museums. There are several art galleries. Nearby is the 950 seats all-canvas tent theater known as Big Top Chautauqua which during its summer season has hosted such entertainers as Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett . Bayfield's annual Apple Fest draws about 60,000 visitors during

360-604: Is located at 46°48.7′N 90°49.2′W  /  46.8117°N 90.8200°W  / 46.8117; -90.8200 (46.8115, -90.8203). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 0.87 square miles (2.25 km ), of which, 0.86 square miles (2.23 km ) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km ) is water. Bayfield is the main gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore ,

405-477: Is one of the most popular lighthouses to visit on the islands. This lighthouse is approximately 44 feet (13 m) tall and was one of the first lighthouses to be automated in 1922. Boats tour this island June through late August every year on trips provided by volunteers of the National Park Service. The lighthouse on Raspberry Island has been completely renovated and is one of the most scenic in

450-555: Is the largest sled dog race in the Midwest , with between 50 and 75 teams competing annually. Bus service to the community is provided by Bay Area Rural Transit . Bayfield receives three radio stations from Ashland; WATW , WBSZ and WJJH . Television stations come from the Duluth–Superior market; KDLH , KBJR , WDSE and WDIO . Apostle Islands The Apostle Islands are a group of 22 islands in Lake Superior , off

495-444: Is the only one of the Apostle Islands not included in the national lakeshore, although a portion of the island is protected as Big Bay State Park . Their are over 800 plant species on the islands and lakeshore. Ecologically, the islands contain some old growth , but primarily secondary Northern hardwood forest . There are elements of the oak, hickory, and hemlock hardwood forests of the eastern United States, but also features of

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540-401: Is widely assumed that Native Americans were the first to inhabit the island. "There is some evidence that they were seen and possibly visited sometime in the fourteenth century by Indians who were making their way to Isle Royale near the north shore of the land in search of copper." In the 17th century, the islands were visited by Étienne Brûlé , a French explorer who, like many French Canadians,

585-769: The Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin . The majority of the islands are located in Ashland County —only Sand, York, Eagle, and Raspberry Islands are located in Bayfield County . All the islands except for Madeline Island are part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore . The islands in Ashland County are all in the Town of La Pointe , except for Long Island, which is in the Town of Sanborn , while those in Bayfield County are in

630-496: The Boreal forest typical of Ontario. Larger wildlife on the islands and surrounding area include whitetail deer , black bear , red fox , and coyote . Smaller mammals such as squirrels , beaver , otter , snowshoe hare , and voles are also present. Avian species in the wilderness include waterfowl , ruffed grouse , and woodcock . Beginning in the west, going north around the outer islands, then west, then east, ending with

675-535: The sea caves of the Great Lakes are located on the shorelines of the Apostle Islands. Examples include the following locations: Swallow Point on Sand Island , the North Shore of Devils Island , and near Mawikwe Bay on the mainland. Arches and delicate chambers are visible. During the winters, visitors can see frozen waterfalls and chambers filled with delicate icicles. Though archeological finds have pointed to traces of human activity as early as 100   BC,

720-512: The 289 households, 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 41.9% were non-families. 35.6% of households were one person and 15.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.64. The age distribution was 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 33.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% 65 or older. The median age

765-508: The Apostle Islands. In 2024, legislation was introduced to rename the national lakeshore as a national park , with Sand Island as a national preserve . Many of the islands offer public docking; a small fee is charged for overnight use. The shoreline contains some historical sites, such as the many lighthouses throughout the islands. Fishing on Lake Superior is a popular activity for both boaters and non-boaters. The lake holds several species of trout and some species of salmon. In seasons when

810-474: The Apostle Islands. Other lighthouses in the Apostle islands include both Old and New Michigan Island Lights , New La Pointe Light and Chequamegon Point Light on Long Island, Devils Island Light , and Outer Island Light . The ruins of Old LaPointe Light can still be seen on Long Island, approximately 0.5 miles (0.80 km) away from the wreckage of the schooner Lucerne . Bayfield, Wisconsin , home of

855-461: The National Park Service in advance; reservations for group sites begin most years in January and for individual sites 30 days in advance. Hunting is permitted on some islands for certain periods of the year. Game include white-tail deer , black bear , grouse , and other small game. As white-tailed deer have become abundant in recent years, deer hunting opportunities have been plentiful, although

900-568: The Potowatomi, Ottawa, and other tribes split off, leaving the Ojibwe alone wielding full control over the entire Lake Superior region, with the Islands remaining their current power center, but all the many Mississippi nations' ancient cultural and spiritual home. When the early French traders arrived around 1640, the capital city on Madeline Island was given the name La Pointe, and by 1693 it

945-693: The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. As these migrations continued west, they created several prominent settlements, but when the wild rice growing in the marshes of the shallow Chequamegon Bay, they made Mooningwanekaaning (now Madeline Island) their capital, with settlements on Stockton Island and Manitou Island as well as along the shoreline. On and around these islands, the Ojibwa people discovered and innovated agricultural advancements, including excavating copper deposits and creating specialized tools for agriculture, hunting and fishing,

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990-722: The Towns of Russell and Bayfield . "The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore provides regionally diverse and unique plant communities." "Over 800 plant species occur within the lakeshore, including Wisconsin listed endangered and threatened species." The Apostles are dominated by boreal forest , composed largely of white spruce ( Picea glauca ) and balsam fir ( Abies balsamea ), often mixed with white birch ( Betula papyrifera ), white cedar ( Thuja occidentalis ), white pine ( Pinus strobus ), balsam poplar ( Populus balsamifera ) and quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides ). On Madeline Island , Stockton Island , and several other islands,

1035-589: The United States' government and mining and lumber capitalists continual and sometimes deadly efforts to completely remove the Ojibwe people, successfully securing permanent reserves of land including the mainland coastline nearest the Islands for the Red Cliff band , as well as entire reservations for other bands in the region. The islands were renamed the Apostle Islands by New France historian Pierre François Xavier de Charlevoix , who renamed them after

1080-526: The city was 77.8% White, 0.2% African American, 14.8% Native American, 1.0% Asian, and 6.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8%. Of the 261 households, 16.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 50.2% were non-families. 44.1% of households were one person and 18.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size

1125-519: The city was 80.1% White , 11.0% Native American , 0.7% Black or African American , 0.2% Asian , 0.5% from other races , and 7.5% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race. At the 2010 census there were 487 people in 261 households, including 130 families, in the city. The population density was 566.3 inhabitants per square mile (218.6/km ). There were 482 housing units at an average density of 560.5 per square mile (216.4/km ). The racial makeup of

1170-402: The earliest known full-time settlers to the islands were Anishinaabe peoples migrating from the east coast beginning in around 950   AD, following the waterways comprising the established trade routes that had connected the eastern nations to western nations for thousands of years. Details and stories of these migration were preserved in birch bark scrolls; some can now be seen preserved in

1215-424: The federal legislation that established the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Public Law 91-424 was signed by President Richard M. Nixon on September 26, 1970. It included 20 islands, a 12-mile (19 km) strip of the mainland, and approximately 1/4 mile of Lake Superior jurisdiction adjacent to each land unit. Public Law 99-497 in 1986 added Long Island to the National Lakeshore and transferred ownership of all

1260-599: The first weekend in October. Popular summertime events include the Bayfield Race Week regatta, held during the week of the 4th of July, and the Festival of Arts and Gallery Tour, which takes place the third weekend of July. It features artists from across the midwest, along with tours and demos at a diverse array of local galleries. The Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race takes place the first weekend of February. It

1305-423: The following colonial nesting birds: herring and ring-billed gulls , double-crested cormorants , great blue herons , and cliff swallows . Gull and Eagle Islands combined have 88% of the lakeshore's breeding herring gull populations and 80% of the herring gull breeding population on the entire Wisconsin shore of Lake Superior. Eagle Island has the only great blue heron rookery in the park." Good examples of

1350-413: The islands are returning to a primitive state; evidence of human habitation is still present, albeit mostly obscured by the regenerating forests. The islands' coastlines possess varied geology, where precambrian sandstone has eroded into sea caves , and the resulting sand has formed sandspits , cuspate forelands , tombolos , barrier spits, and beaches. United States Senator Gaylord Nelson sponsored

1395-487: The light stations from the U.S. Coast Guard to the National Park Service . After the National Park Service completed a wilderness study in 2004 and received overwhelming support from the public, Congress designated 80 percent of the land area (35,000 acres (142 km)) of the national lakeshore as the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness on December 8, 2004. (Public Law 108-447, Division E, Section 140.) Of

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1440-440: The logistics of hunting on the islands can be difficult. Hunting black bears is limited to two islands, and there are rules and regulations that apply only to specific areas. To get from island to island many visitors choose to kayak, either bringing their own kayaks and equipment or renting from a local shop. The islands also offer opportunities to scuba divers to view interesting rock formations and shipwrecks. Scuba diving within

1485-528: The national lakeshore's headquarters and visitor center , becomes more popular during the summer, when visitors travel to and from the islands. Other nearby communities are Red Cliff , three miles north of Bayfield, which offers a campground, marina, and the Legendary Waters Resort and Casino, and Washburn, located 10 miles (16 km) from Bayfield. Bayfield, Wisconsin Bayfield

1530-717: The recognized principal Chief Buffalo from La Pointe led an army of Ojibwa to fight in Tecumseh's War against the U.S.. However, he had a change of heart and pursued diplomacy when he met Michel Caddotte in Sault Ste Marie, who convinced him that by avoiding violence against the US, he could negotiate better treaties for the Ojibwa people. Though the American flag was hoisted over the Islands in 1816, Chief Buffalo fought decades of

1575-652: The request of the Franciscan pastor. Bayfield Mission Boarding and Day School, also known as Holy Family Mission School, included students from the Fond du Lac Band Chippewa and the Saulteaux Ojibwe . In an 1889 report the school's superintendent said that his goals for the school were "civilizing the children and entirely abolishing the use of the Chippewa language." The school operated until 1999. Bayfield

1620-464: The southernmost island, the islands are: Historical evidence suggests that another island formerly existed alongside Eagle Island. It was known as Steamboat Island, although this name was apparently also used for Eagle Island itself, in which case Steamboat Island was called "Little Steamboat Island." Multiple sources dating from August 1901 document the disappearance of the island around that time, due to unknown natural forces. The Apostle Islands are

1665-601: The twenty-two Apostle Islands , the wilderness area fully or partially covers eighteen and preserves the prohibition of motorized travel on the wilderness islands. It is the largest wilderness area in Wisconsin. It is named for Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator and governor of Wisconsin , who was instrumental in establishing the National Trails System , the Wilderness Act , and Earth Day . The National Park Travelers Club held its 2012 convention at

1710-506: The use of canoes in rice harvesting, conjugal collaborative farming, and the Three Sisters Crop Complex, enabling the Ojibwa to greatly expand their population, territory and power outward in all directions creating an enormous nation. However, these rapid advances in technology, along with five more centuries of migration from the east, also caused divisive ideological disagreements over traditionalism, and ultimately,

1755-432: The water is warmer visitors can catch fish from the shore in water as shallow as ten feet. Camping options range from more civilized sites that offer many amenities, such as well water, vault toilets, and food lockers, to sites that are more remote, further from other campers and offer nothing more than a tent pad or fire ring. Camping is offered on 18 of the 21 islands in the national lakeshore. Permits are required from

1800-426: Was 1.87 and the average family size was 2.58. The median age was 53.2 years. 15.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.6% were from 25 to 44; 36% were from 45 to 64; 26.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female. At the 2000 census there were 611 people in 289 households, including 167 families, in the city. The population density

1845-496: Was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males. The median household income was $ 32,266 and the median family income was $ 36,500. Males had a median income of $ 34,375 versus $ 25,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 18,377. About 10.5% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. The city of Bayfield

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1890-496: Was 703.3 people per square mile (271.2/km ). There were 403 housing units at an average density of 463.8 per square mile (178.8/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 76.92% White, 0.65% Black or African American , 15.22% Native American, 1.31% from other races, and 5.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49%. 10.5% were of American , 10.1% German , 9.4% Norwegian , 8.1% Irish , 7.4% Swedish and 5.4% English ancestry according to Census 2000 . Of

1935-454: Was fortified and included as an official Trading Post city in the Empire of New France, but with the westward expansion of European colonialism, conflicts boiled into formal wars from 1775 onward. Over the next 35 years, as more and more Native populations were concentrated into increasingly smaller areas, these areas became unable to provide sustenance for the swelling populations, and in 1811,

1980-677: Was named in 1856 for Henry Bayfield , a British Royal Topographic Engineer who explored the region in 1822–23. A post office has been in operation at Bayfield since 1856. The first Catholic church was built in Bayfield in 1860, with the Franciscans following in 1878. Mass was held in the English and Ojibwe languages. In 1879, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate established an Indian residential school in Bayfield at

2025-516: Was trying to discover a new way to the East Indies. "Historians believe that the Jesuits named the islands the Apostle Islands according to their practice of giving holy names to new places." It is said that fur traders were the first explorers to settle in the area, building a village from the money they brought in. Previously used for logging, farming, and mining during the early 20th century,

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