Bois Blanc Island (Michigan)
Bois Blanc Island (/bɔɪz blæŋk/ boyz-blank) is an island in Lake Huron within Bois Blanc Township, Mackinac County, Michigan. The island covers about 34 sq mi (88 km2) and is about 12 miles (19 km) long, 6 miles (9.6 km) wide and has 6 lakes. It lies southeast of Mackinac Island and almost due north of the city of Cheboygan.
Native name: Wigobiminniss | |
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Bois Blanc Island is the largest island on the right. | |
Bois Blanc Island Bois Blanc Island (Michigan) | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Lake Huron near the Straits of Mackinac |
| Coordinates | 45°46′30″N 84°28′44″W |
| Area | 34 sq mi (88 km2) |
| Highest elevation | 692 ft (210.9 m) |
| Administration | |
United States | |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Mackinac County |
| Township | Bois Blanc Township |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 63 (2020) |
"Bois Blanc" is French for "white wood". The name is commonly thought to be a reference to either: (a) the paper birch, or more likely (b) the basswood, called "bois blanc" in other contexts. The basswood's white underbark was extensively used by Native Americans and French-speaking fur traders for cordage, including the sewing up of canoes and the manufacture of webbing for snowshoes. The French Canadian colloquial term for "inner bark" was bois blanc. The Native Americans themselves have a name for Bois Blanc Island and the meaning is the same as the Canadian name. It is called Wigobiminiss. Wigobi or wicopy signifies "tying bark" or "inner bark". Miniss means "island".
"Boblo" is an English corruption of the French pronunciation of the name. Several islands with the same name dot the Great Lakes, and nearly all are known as "Boblo" or "Bob-lo" by the local populations.