Sigismund Camp on Tallman Island

Tobin Harbor



Sigismund Cabin, 1948: Willemin Collection, Isle Royale National Park.

S

quatter Gustav Sigismund of Duluth, Minnesota, built a small log cabin on the western end of Big Island, now known as Tallman Island. George Tallman purchased this island in 1931. While it is not fully understood how much time he spent there, he is known to have occupied the island and even maintained a sizeable garden on the property. Tallman also owned a small cottage in the Rock Harbor area near the Rock Harbor Lodge. While it is unclear whether George and Alice accepted any lease agreement for their land holdings, the high purchase price makes this unlikely. The Tallman's received $3,133.52 for their property and all of their land was officially transferred to the U.S. government on December 04, 1939.

"This is the former Gus Sigismund cabin on Big Island in Tobin Harbor - ___ bought out his interests and as__ trying to get title to the island _____ it from the axe. I have enlarged Gus's garden planting about 70 berry bushes and raised a fine lot of yellow beans, onions, lettuce, rhubarb, ___ then this dry summer.". --Chynoweth Collection, MTU Archives, October, 1929.

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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. Tallman Purchase Records. Isle Royale National Park. Houghton, MI.