Last updated: September 1, 2020
Article
Merritt Camp
History
Alfred Merritt was from Duluth, and discovered Isle Royale as a 19 year old deck hand in 1866. He later worked at the Island Mine Company in Siskiwit Bay, and began camping at Blake Point, on what is now known as "Merritt Island." He began buying Isle Royale islands in 1908 - shortly after the recently-surveyed islands had been made available for purchase through auction in Marquette, Michigan. Merritt bought a number of islands in Tobin, Duncan, and Rock Harbors, and in Siskiwit Bay. With his family's help, Merritt built his first house on Merritt Island in 1911.