Drummond Township, Michigan

"Drummond Island" redirects here. For island in Kiribati formerly known as Drummond's Island, see McKean Island.

Drummond Township, Michigan
—  Township  —
Drummond Township, Michigan Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 46°00′N 83°40′W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Chippewa
Area
• Total	249.0 sq mi (644.9 km2)
• Land	129.1 sq mi (334.3 km2)
• Water	119.9 sq mi (310.6 km2)
Elevation	666 ft (203 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	992
• Density	7.7/sq mi (3.0/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
FIPS code	26-23080
GNIS feature ID	1626193
Website	www.drummondislandchamber.com

Drummond Township is a civil township of Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 992 at the 2000 census.

The township consists of Drummond Island, one of the largest islands in Lake Huron. M-134 runs through the western portion of the island. The highway connects with the mainland portion via the Drummond Island Ferry, which runs between De Tour Village and the island.

On the east side of Drummond Island, the Canada-United States border passes through the False Detour Channel. On the other side of that channel, the Canadian Cockburn Island separates Drummond from Manitoulin Island.

Drummond is an unincorporated community within the township, situated on Potagannissing Bay on the northwest side of the island at 46°01′12″N 83°43′52″W. M-134 ends south of the community.

History

The history of Drummond Island dates back centuries, but more recent history of the past two-hundred years relates to the British occupation of the island after the War of 1812. The island was the last British outpost on American soil following the Treaty of Ghent, finally returned to American hands in 1828. Drummond Island is the only island in the Manitoulin island chain which is part of the United States.

As a clause in the Treaty of Ghent, clear borders needed to be established between the United States and British occupied land. During the surveying mission in 1815 to establish boundaries it is alleged that the American representatives provided copious amounts of libations to the British representative in order to trick him by having him establish the boundary between the United States and British lands via the False Detour Channel.

"From the moment that the commissioners - one British and two American - entered the Detroit river, the British representative showed a disposition to insist that the main channels were invariably on the west side of various islands in their course, and it became necessary, in nearly every case, to make an examination by means of small boats, soundings and measurements of currents, in order to convince him that such was not the case. Mr. Bartlett, the British commissioner, was accustomed to the heavy dinners and hard drinking connected therewith, of his native environment, and pursued the same custom on board the vessel which had been provided by the United States for the work of the commission. In fact, it is among the unpublished records of the boundary survey, that he indulged in the flowing bowl to such an extent as not only to hinder the work, but also to cause him at times to be the reverse of amiable in his manners. While passing up Lake Huron, with the charts of the lakes and their connecting waters before them, it was agreed that the course by way of the False Detour should be the one taken. In the meantime, Mr. Bartlett had had dinner and an extra supply of grog, and when they had passed the eastern end of Drummond Island he began, in no very polite manner, to charge that he had been cheated while dining, and that the course should have been by the Detour passage." .

The island is named after Canadian Gordon Drummond.

Wildlife

Drummond Island is an oasis of wildlife. Deer are a very common sight, with the occasional bear lumbering by. Other common forest mammals include raccoons, weasels, woodchucks, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and mice of several varieties. Rarer sightings may include bobcats, coyotes, wolves, and the occasional moose. Wetlands host many species. Frogs inhabit small ponds, as does the northern water snake. Turtles, as slow as they are, can be slightly harder to find than snakes. Painted turtles may be found along the road as well as in ponds. There are also garter snakes and copper bellies, all non-venomous varieties. As for birds there are several species of woodpeckers, the ruby-throated hummingbird, many finch species, sparrows, black birds, crows, ravens, owls, hawks, osprey and eagles. Most of the species of fish found in the Great Lakes are present here in northern Lake Huron. There are also many species of minnows. All the lake bottom environment has been drastically affected by the introduction of the zebra mussel. The environment used to support habitat for crayfish, three leech varieties, water insects and snails.There are no ticks on Drummond Island. There are very few skunks on Drummond Island, if at all.^{[citation needed]}

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 249.0 square miles (645 km²), of which, 129.1 square miles (334 km²) is land and 119.9 square miles (311 km²)(48.17%) is water. On the Island itself, it is mainly dominated by forest, with cliffs on the eastern side.

Over two thirds of the island is land owned by the state of Michigan.^{[citation needed]}

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 992 people, 467 households, and 309 families residing in the township. The population density was 7.7 per square mile (3.0/km²). There were 1,476 housing units at an average density of 11.4 per square mile (4.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.83% White, 0.20% African American, 4.84% Native American, 0.10% from other races, and 4.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 467 households out of which 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.59.

In the township the population was spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 35.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $36,131, and the median income for a family was $39,931. Males had a median income of $35,729 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,963. About 7.6% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over.

See also

Populated islands of the Great Lakes

Notable residents

• John P. Donohue, surgeon

External links

Drummond Island Chamber of Commerce