There is a place on earth that is most treasured, at least in the heart of my family. It is not the place of pirates and buried treasure as R.L. Stevenson tells the story—it is the true Treasure Island.
Situated on Lake Mindemoya on Manitoulin Island, it is the largest freshwater island within an island in the world. Treasure Island was originally named Mindemoya, because of the distinctive shape of the island: rising at one end to a long flat hill, with a steep drop to a short low area at the other end. According to local legend, a great chieftan once had a wife who would not give him any peace. In frustration he kicked her and sent her flying. She landed on her hands and knees in Lake Mindemoya, leaving her back and rump above the water, forming the island. “Mindemoya” means “Old Woman.”
Joe and Jean Hodgson bought the island in 1927 and operated a vacation cottage resort until 1968. In 1982 Charles D. Moeller, my grandfather from Lima, Ohio, bought the island, including many of the original cabins, cottages, lodge house, and boat house. The Moeller Family has enjoyed the island as an annual family vacation for the last 30 years. For one week, about 40 extended family members spanning 4 generations get together the week of July 4th to celebrate family and enjoy food, fun, and fellowship. The real Treasure Island brings true happiness, rest, relaxation, fun, and (best of all) a lifetime of memories for all of us.
Thirty years of memories … truly treasures from Treasure Island.
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Copyright 2012, Christi McGuire. All rights reserved.
Glad you’re having fun! Love the history of it!
I’ll have to share more of the history with you!
What a wonderful legacy your Grandfather left to all
Have a Blessed Weekend
God Bless
I was totally emotional this trip about it all, because I finally realize the impact and legacy he has left all of us children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!
that is just plain awesome.
I have to agree … totally awesome!
My family rented a cottage for years on the east shore of the lake facing the island. Jean Hodgson wrote a memoir which I assume is where you get your title. I’ve been trying to track down a copy for years. It is truly a beautiful spot. David, Ontario
David, that is so awesome–what a small world! I had actually forgotten that was the title of Jean’s book. Our family always calls the week we stay there “treasures from Treasure Island.” It’s like a magical week for us, because it’s hard to capture the beauty of it all. Our family has one copy of Jean’s that is kept on the island. But many of us were just talking about it last week and how we’d like to get copies of it so each of us could have a copy. Perhaps Jean’s daughters, Joanne or Marianne, can help us out by finding more copies. I’ll try to contact them and let you know. Thanks for stopping by and reading!
My brother and sister-in-law owned the Island before your grandfather. I have a lot of happy memories of the island and always wondered if the cottages were still available for rent.
Lenna, thanks for commenting! That’s so interesting! Did your brother own it after Joe and before my grandpa? Grandpa bought it in the early 1980s. The cabins aren’t for rent, but we vacation there as a family very summer. Unfortunately, since I wrote this post, my grandfather has passed. Going to TI the first year without him was very heartbreaking. It’s a very, very special place.
So sorry to hear about your grandfather. I think my brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Jane Bickel, sold it in the early to mid 1970s. However, I don’t know who they sold it too. It must have been whoever your grandfather bought it from. Is the big stone lodge still there? We stayed in the cabins many times. One year, we weren’t allowed to go up on the hill on the island because a wolf had crossed over the ice and was stranded on the island! The other couple who owned it jointly with my family was Sue and Larry Swihart. Larry came back to the states, however Sue stayed on in Mindemoya. She passed away two days ago.
Oh wow, I never knew there could be wolves there! About 10 years ago, my family had most of the cabins and parts of the lodge redone. They had to take down the front stone porch because it was crumbling. It was so sad to see it go!! We love the new lodge, but there was something about the old lodge and cabins that was nostalgic. If you email me, maybe I can email you back some pictures of what it looks like now. My email is christimcguire@christimcguire.com.
So glad to hear that Treasure Island has a big family to love it! Been googling it for years wondering what happened. My brother and I still, fifty years later, remember the best times we had there as kids. He would fish all day with Dad and a guide making fires and cooking up fish for lunch. My mother and I would hike around the Island and find birch bark to make postcards to send to my friends. Everyday I’d jump off the end of the pier for a very short, very cold swim and then we’d take our needlework up to the lodge and talk and play games and sing. For dinner it was elk or moose, it was magical and we were so happy!
Thanks for sharing.
Hello Christi..from Ohio..as a youngster at age 5..and now 55..I have vacationed with my family on Lake Mindemoya for 50 years now..so curious as a child about the island your family owns my parents took us over when they were doing dinners in the stone lodge. Oh I was so amazed with the embedded arrowheads and local cut stone in the fireplace.We have went from staying at a private cottage for 20 years,to another 20 at Pirates Cove,and now on our second year at Oakes cottages which are being renovated into yummy vintage,an antique still here and there cozy places to stay..so I have seen your lovely sweet island from many angles..and swim often in the little cove when it’s a little rough on the lake..anyway just fond sweet family memories I had to share with you..2017 we were offered 20 acres of lush rare flora..fossils ..even a bluff..complete with our own alvars..so hopefully we will build something off grid to keep our family also well footed on that beautiful island surrounded by sapphire waters..ahhh..I so wish I was there now..blessings to you and your family..Terri
Hello Christi,
a german native the treasure island wikipedia article
brings me to your good made homepage:
interesting story & great island !
Is there still a holiday resort to rent
or any plans to build a eco tourism resort ?
many greetings
martin
Does your family still own it? Do they ever rent the island out for private functions? I’ve always dreamed of getting married there!
Kelsey,
Yes, my family still owns it. They may be opening up the island for private functions, such as weddings, in the next year. If you are interested, please email me at “christi [at] christimcguire [dot] com” with your email, preferred date, number of guests, etc. We may not be able to accommodate this request, but I can forward it on to the family members dealing with this. Thanks!
Christi
Next week marks my 64th year going to Manitoulin Island with the past 61 years staying on Mindemoya, I was born and raised in Rockford. As a child, we would go as a family to Treasure Island for a family style meal. After it was no longer being used as a lodge, we visited it before your family bought and started the renovations and rebuilding. It would be interesting to see all the updates and changes that have been made. May the Island continue to be a source of relaxation and a nature retreat for your family!
It certainly has changed a lot! I love to see the original pictures when Joe and Jeannie owned it. I also pray it continues for our family–we love it dearly!
Hi
interesting! I am Kerrie, Granddaughter to Jean and Jo Hodgson. I believe my grandparents bought the Island in 1928, built the Lodge and the cabins and ran it as a resort for 40 years until 1968. Of course I have many old photos of Jean and Jo with very large fish, and many more stories of the resort from my mother Lorene and her sisters Joanne and Marion. Even though I was just 4 years old when my grandmother stopped running the resort, I remember years later as a teen, being asked to help my Aunt Marion serve for the guests that came for the week. It may have been your father’s company at the time. Fascinating!!
Kerrie
Hi, Kerri! Thank you for sending a message! I loved reading about your grandparents, parents, aunts, and family members in your grandmother’s book! My grandfather bought the island in 1981 from the couple who bought it from your grandparents. Marion cooked for us the week of July 4th every year we were there, for many years. I still remember her “Thanksgiving” dinner she’d make. No one could cook like she did! Joanne stopped by this last summer. I just love to hear her stories! What a special place and history–it’s truly a treasure.
I remember going to Treasure Island with my grandparents when we vacationed at Cedar Grove Cottages. We would ride a small ferry boat which took us to the island for a meal and fellowship.
That’s awesome! I’m so sad the borders are closed this summer. We are anxiously waiting for them to open!
I think it’s a shame the island was ever sold. It should be enjoyed by all, not just a few rich Americans a couple of times a year.
I’m so sorry you feel that way. It has brought our family of 5 generations immense joy. We consider it our second home and have opened up the island to many locals over the last four decades.
Deareest Christi, What a joy to see treasure island on the web! Im not a big computer person,, but when i come to my work i like to pull up any pics of TI. The time is so fitting now. Was happy to find ur info. My memeories of TI include bringing Max and Shelby up to the island. The water is so clear. The senery beautiful. As always i felt honored to b able to enjoy Treasure Island. Much Love to u.
Christi,
Years back(our crew) spent many summer weekends on the island thanks to your grandfathers hospitality. If I recall many Pinochle games between Chuck and Richard. Have many fond memories of the island. Saw some recent drone footage, and Island is looking great. Your family has done a great job keeping this place up.