Manthey Camp

Rock Harbor



Manthey Cottage, 1925: Manthey Album A [Page 001, Photo 1], ISRO Archives.

Oral History 123: Russell Smith, December 27, 1975, Peggy Widtfeldt (Smith): ISRO Archives.

F

rank W. Manthey of Minneapolis, Minnesota, owned slightly over 150 acres in the Rock Harbor area. Manthey established a summer camp on the main island across from East Caribou Island. The Rock Harbor Trail bisects a portion of his former property. During the winter of 1928/29, Manthey intermittently bagged moose and provided one of the hides to the Smith family. He is the only known summer resident to ever overwinter at Isle Royale. Structures on the Manthey property included a main cottage, four guest cabins, two log cabins, two outdoor toilets, a boathouse, and a dock. Manthey was favorable of a National Park at Isle Royale and initially desired a life lease in exchange for his property. For reasons unknown, Manthey sold his property outright in exchange for $2,240.33. The property officially transferred to the U.S. government on September 23, 1937. All structures were removed shortly after purchase.

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Help Tell The Story

Are you related to this family? Would you be willing to share stories or photos associated with related events? If so, we would love to hear from you! Please contact the Cultural Resource Manager at Isle Royale National Park. Or write to:

Isle Royale National Park
800 East Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, Michigan 49931-1896
906-482-0984

Citations

  1. Manthey Purchase Records. Isle Royale National Park. Houghton, MI.