Les Cheneaux Islands History

Les Cheneaux Islands includes the communities of Hessel and Cedarville on the mainland in Clark Township. The ZIP code of 49719 serves most of Clark Township. The hisotry of the area is similar to that of nearby areas, involving the Ojibwa and Huron tribes, the Jesuits and French fur traders and finally the English settlers.

Two musems serve the Les Cheneaux Islands area, operated by the Les Cheneaux Historical Association. These are the Les Cheneaux Historical Museum and the Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum.

History of Les Cheneaux Islands - Hessel

The village of Hessel was named after "Honest John" Hessel, who came into the area in about 1887, just three years after the first homesteaders. A post office was established in September 1888.

History of Les Cheneaux Islands - Cedarville

In 1884, Charles and Victor Weston were the first homesteaders on the mainland of Cedarville Bay, which later became the village of Cedarville. Cedarville, like most other communities in the area, began as a lumber settlement. A post office was established in July 1888.

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