In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we journey to Beaver Island — the largest island in Lake Michigan and the only place in America that once had a king. From 1848 to 1856, James Jesse Strang ruled here as a self-proclaimed monarch, building roads, homes, and a newspaper before his dramatic assassination at the St. James docks.

We explore the Irish fishing community that reclaimed the island, the rise and fall of its Great Lakes fishing dominance, and the daring rescues of lighthouse keepers and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The story continues with the roar of logging trains through the forests, the quiet service of “Dr.” Feodor Protar, and the hard years when the population dwindled to fewer than 200 residents. This is a story of isolation, industry, and community spirit, told through the photographs and voices of history.

A production of Thumbwind Publications