Beaver Island in St. James in Charlevoix County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mormon Print Shop
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, 2014
1. Mormon Print Shop Marker
This building was erected in 1850 by James Strang and his followers. Here during the 1850s, these Mormon dissenters published religious works and two newspapers, the Northern Islander and the Daily Northern Islander. Strang's group had settled on Beaver Island in 1846 after breaking away from the Mormons led by Brigham Young. In 1850 Strang was declared "King" of his community which made up the majority of the population on the Island. In 1856 Strang was fatally shot by two disenchanted followers. In the wake of the assassination, an angry mob from the mainland stormed Beaver Island destroying buildings and forcing the Mormons to flee. At that time, this print shop was ransacked. It later became a boardinghouse. Today it serves as the headquarters for the Beaver Island Historical Society.
Michigan History Division
Department of State Registered State Site No. 32
Property of the State of Michigan 1977
Erected 1977 by Michigan History Division. (Marker Number 32.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the
this page online
Location. 45° 44.771′ N, 85° 31.247′ W. Marker is in St. James, Michigan, in Charlevoix County. It is on Beaver Island. It is on Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26275 Main St, Beaver Island MI 49782, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Michigan Lower Peninsula, in the Grand Traverse Bay Region, and in one of the Lake Michigan Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Holy Cross Catholic Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); King Strang Hotel (approx. Ό mile away).
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, 2014
2. Mormon Print Shop and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
