Voices of North Manitou
Authors Billy and Karen Rosa share North Manitou Island history and reflect on the recent trip to Crescent on the island, where the Billy and Karen searched for his grandmother’s home from the early 1900’s. Now in the federally designated wilderness of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the site of Crescent has returned to its natural state. Using old photos, a hand drawn map, and Billy’s keen instinct, we located the homesite, the lumber skidway, and the sawmill site. Billy was able to walk in the footsteps of his grandmother, who lived there more than 100 years ago. Stories include the A.J. White family history, Grandmother Esther Morse White’s life on the island, lumbering and the sawmill on the island, accidents and daily life, how the book was created, later visits to the island in the 1920’s and 1970’s, changes over time, and the importance of sharing the family history.
To learn more about the book, CLICK HERE
To purchase Remembering Crescent: Logging and Life on North Manitou Island, CLICK HERE
Review of the book: The Rosas have created a wonderful volume rich in detail and rare photos, making this an important contribution to the published historical knowledge of North Manitou. It will be treasured by island campers, visitors, and story seekers; all who are curious about the mysterious point on the island map called Crescent.
Part 1: Visit to Crescent with Billy and Karen Rosa CLICK HERE
Part 3: Hiking North Manitou Island, visiting additional sites from the Crescent lumbering days. CLICK HERE
Historical photos courtesy of Billy and Karen Rosa.
More Videos in the Voices of North Manitou Series can be found HERE.