Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a solitary sawmill. Rock Island is thus arguably the true “door” to Wisconsin, and a ready-
made one at that—the first rock on the way across the temperamental lake from Mackinac
Island.
Note: Water is available here, but that's it. You have to bring everything you need (and
take it all out when you leave).
FLORA AND FAUNA
Here's why the isolated island is so great—no ticks, no pesky raccoons, no skunks, and no
bears.Inshort,noperilsforbackpackers.Theworstthingouttherearetheratherpernicious
fields of poison ivy (though these are usually well marked). There are white-tailed deer,
lemmings, foxes, and a few other small mammals and amphibians. Plenty of nonpoisonous
snakes can also be seen.
The northern hardwood forest is dominated by sugar maple and American beech. The
eastern hemlock is gone. The perimeters have arbor vitae (white cedar) and small varieties
of red maple and red and white pine.
Sights
Two of the most historically significant buildings in Wisconsin, as deemed by the Depart-
ment of the Interior, are Thordarson's massive limestone
Viking Hall
and
boathouse.
Pat-
terned after historic Icelandic manors, the structures were cut, slab by slab, from Rock Is-
land limestone by Icelandic artisans and workmen ferried over from Washington Island.
Onlytherooftilingisn'tmadefromislandmaterial.That'salotofrock,consideringthatthe
hall could hold more than 120 people. The hand-carved furniture, mullioned windows, and
rosemaling-like detail, including runic inscriptions outlining Norse mythology, are magni-
ficent.
The original name of Rock Island was Potawatomi Island, a name that lives on in one
of the original lighthouses in Wisconsin,
Pottawatomie Light,
built in 1836. The original
structurewassweptfromthecliffsbythesurlylakesoonafterbeingbuilt,butwasreplaced.
Unfortunately, it's not open to the public except for ranger-led tours. The house is access-
ible via a two-hour trail.
