Harsens Island in St. Clair County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Harsen House

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 22, 2023

1. Harsen House Marker

Inscription. This house belonged to the family of Jacob Harsen. A gunsmith and fur trader who arrived here about 1778, Harsen was the first white settler on the island. On this site he built a log home which was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion. The present structure, erected around 1800 and subsequently enlarged and altered, housed his descendents until the 1940s. The Harsen Family once owned all of the Island which bears their name.

Erected 1977 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number 631.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1778.

Location. 42° 36.705′ N, 82° 34.576′ W. Marker is on Harsens Island, Michigan, in St. Clair County. Marker is at the intersection of Golf Course Road and Cottage Lane, on the right when traveling south on Golf Course Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2006 Golf Course Rd, Harsens Island MI 48028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Stewart Farm / Memoir of Aura Stewart (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. John's Marsh Project (approx. 1.8 miles away); Water Speed Capital (approx. 2.3 miles away); Christopher Columbus Smith / Garfield A. "Gar" Wood

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(approx. 2.3 miles away); Saint Andrew's Parish / Saint Andrew's Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); Clay Township Library (approx. 2.4 miles away); Algonac Civil War / Vietnam Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Colony Tower (approx. 2½ miles away).

More about this marker. This marker is on Harsens Island, on the U.S. side of the St. Clair River on the northern end of Lake St. Clair. The island is reached by auto ferry from Algonac. The ferry dock is at 3647 Pointe Tremble Road (Michigan Route 29). The ferry itself is signed for Michigan Route 154, which is the main road on the island. Fare is $15 per vehicle going and no charge returning. The three-lane 10 to 12 car ferry departs every 15 minutes during the day for a five minute ride, sooner if it fills. Check the website for the Harsens Island Ferry for operating hours.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 22, 2023

2. Harsen House Marker

Harsen House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 22, 2023

3. Harsen House and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 26, 2023, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.