| Charity Island |
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The island was named by lake mariners for its location, placed through the charity of God midway between the city of Au Gres, Michigan and " The Thumb ", at the entrance to Saginaw Bay. More than 80% of the island was acquired in 1997 by the U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service and it is held as part of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge system. It contains mostly mixed hardwood tree species and is home to a variety of plants including some rare species. There is an old lighthouse on the island. The light was constructed in 1857, and then replaced by the Gravelly Shoal Light and abandoned in 1939. The area is also believed to have been quarried by Native Americans for Chert . The northeast end of the island gives way to limestone bedrock in the bay and mostly to gravel reefs to the south where shallow water separates the island with its smaller neighbor, Little Charity Island . There is a small harbor of refuge on the northeast end of the island accessible by small boat, though access is controlled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Tours of the island, including the privately-owned, rebuilt lightkeeper's house, are available from Brown's Landing, south of East Tawas . |
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