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CONTENTS |
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vi vii 11 12 18 20 24 25 26 28 31 32 33 38 42 44 45 48 50 52 56 57 58 61 62 64 68 70 71 74 76 82 89 92 98 100 108 112 114 119 122 123 126 130 132 137 144 151 156 160 166 169 170 176 176 181 181 192 |
| MAP INDEX | PAGE |
| ST. CLAIR FLATS GUIDE MAP, 1896 | INSIDE FRONT COVER |
| LAKE & RIVER SURVEY, 1817 | 10 |
| OLD CLUB GOLF COURSE, 1927 | 25 |
| STOLEY'S TO MUIR HOUSE, 1906 | 70 |
| MAPLE LEAF SUBDMSION, 1917 | 77 |
| SANS SOUCI SUBDMSION, 1917 | 92 |
| LEMKE'S TO GRAND POINTE, 1906 | 99 |
| CANADA CLUB'S LEASE LANDS, 1917 | 127 |
| MIDDLE CHANNEL, 1906 | 132 |
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NORTH CHANNEL & SNIBORA, 1906 - DETROIT TO PORT HURON INTERURBAN ROUT |
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| NORTH CHANNEL CLUB SURVEY, 1899 | 155 |
| ST. CLAIR FLATS MAP, 2002 | INSIDE BACK COVER |
| INTRODUCTION | ||
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The St Clair Flats has always had much to offer. During the era when it was acclaimed nationwide as a premier resort community people came for the unexcelled duck hunting and fishing. It was a time when the automobile and telephone had not been dreamed of and there were no country clubs nor mechanized street cars. In the 1870s and 1880s clubhouses with overnight accommodations, grand hotels with resort facilities and private retreats began filling in along the banks of the St Clair River in the area known as the Flats.
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During the 1890s, five palatial clubhouses lined the American side of the South Channel with membership rosters which read like who's who of Detroit society. On the North Channel and on the Canadian side of the South Channel similar clubs were organized. Additionally, seven large public resort complexes and numerous small hotels were available. The Star Island Hotel claimed to have the largest dining room in the state, reportedly having been able to serve 500 people in one seating. And in 1897 the Tashmoo Amusement Park opened as a passenger ship destination. The park continued to attract excursionists until 1951.
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Regular passenger steamship service between Detroit and Port Huron began in the fall of 1829 and was available as recently as 1951. The first passenger steamship, the Argo, made the upriver run from Detroit to Port Huron in two days. The last regularly scheduled passenger steamship, the Put-In-Bay, was one of the finest excursion ships ever built and made the round trip daily.
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At the turn of the century, White Star Line steamers would make as many as three daily round trips to the Flats and on a typical Sunday evening 500 or more people may have been waiting at the dock of the Tashmoo Park and each club and hotel along the South Channel. Through most of the 1920s, passenger service continued to be regular, affordable and dependable. "Flatters” along the South Channel could catch the morning boat, be in downtown Detroit offices by 9am and return to their families on the evening boat. From 1898 until 1927, the passenger ships also provided the postal services along the South Channel under contract with the U.S. Postmaster. The North Channel also received regular steamship passenger service between Mt. Clemens and Algonac until about 1915, by which time the interurban lightweight rail passenger trains dominated the market. At one time the "Rapid Railway" planed a rail line across Lake St Clair beginning from a point near Metro Beach, and along the South Channel to Russell Island and back to the mainland to continue along the river to Port Huron.
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Roads connecting Algonac and Detroit were completed in 1924, providing automobile access to mainland docks along the North Channel. From then on, the flexibility of traveling by automobile displaced both the steamers and the interurban passenger trains.
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A number of factors contributed to the passing of the grand scale of the Little Venice resort community. With the mobility provided by the automobile, people began going in all directions and a ride in the country replaced excursion ships as an escape from the city's summer heat. Golfing clubs became increasingly popular after the turn of the century. Prohibition and later the Depression and cyclical periods of high water dealt their blows to the mass popularity of the Flats. Fire destroyed many of the area's landmarks, such as the Grande Pointe Hotel, the Star Island Hotel and the early clubhouses of the Rushmere and Old Club. The Mervue clubhouse and Joe Bedore's hotel struggled through high water, prohibition, the depression era but both were torn down, about 1948 and 1968 respectively.
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Nevertheless, the St Clair Flats has maintained its allure for thousands of residents and visitors. Today, there are many fine private residences. The Old Club has continued as a private resort community since 1872. The Idle Hour Hotel, which began as the Riverside Hotel by 1891, has been renovated and is now operating as the Idle Hour Yacht Club and Gustav Trautz's resort continues as a marina. The North Channel Club has continued under various forms for over 100 years and the "Canada Club" has had a continuous history since 1875.
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Those who know the Flats have developed an emotional attachment and a sensitivity to her many moods. And, as in earlier days, her supporters continue to come to enjoy the fishing, hunting and the water sports. Some come to watch, the ships pass on one of the busiest waterways in the world and others come simply for the peace and quiet.
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Foreword from the first edition of Life at the Flats |
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Journeying to the St. Clair Flats for a visit for a day, weekend, or summer vacation began more than 100 years ago. Many Detroiters as well as countless others from the Midwest have taken advantage of incomparable fishing, hunting and boating opportunities in the St. Clair River delta. As a result of the increasing attractiveness of the area for pleasure and recreation a number of organizations and clubs were organized. Cottages were built and furnished; docks for sailing boats and power launches were put into the river and canals.
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Life at the "Flats" before the turn of the century is here chronicled in detail and with good humor by a descendant of men who pioneered the development of the islands. Mervue, Rushmere, Star Island, Riverside, Idle Hour once again come alive in the narrative based upon family archives and memorabilia and in the reprinting of hard-to-find stories.
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The author, well suited by heritage, fired by enthusiasm, and competent to research his subject, here presents a story of people at play. He has chosen from personal and public collections a large number of outstanding photographs to illustrate his story. Many of the pictures have not been published previously. Often candid, always detailed, the illustrations present a realistic view of Harsens Island and the "Flats."
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As one views the pictures of the excursion steamers and the sail boats, one can feel the swell beneath the feet and experience the sun setting in Muscamoot Bay in this the first in a projected series of histories. Please join me in sharing the pleasure of reading this account of in Michigan's "Venice:” --James M. Babcock |
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James M. Babcock, a former Chief of the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library, lived on the St. Clair Flats for over 20 years. |
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Links to Special Cruises to the area: |
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| Huron Lady | Diamond Jack |
