I now have a job giving tours of Belle Isle!

[bif]

I just started doing the tours a couple months ago. We do the tours in old Model A Fords and operate out of the Piquette Plant. If you're interested, check out the website: antiquetouring.com

Our company also does an Automotive history tour and a Corktown tour.

[Diamond_Dog]

1. Nice! A very scenic area, I'm sure!

[bif]

2. It's an island park in the Detroit River

Between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit. Much of it was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead who designed Central Park in NYC.

[orleans]

8. that's really interesting. sounds like a cool job. congrats! nt

[Wednesdays]

10. Originally named "Pig Island"

Until the early 1800's, I think, because it was mostly pig farms then.

[multigraincracker]

11. I thought it was called Snake Island.

Then they brought in pigs to eat the snakes.

[bif]

13. Okay, I'll chime in here

It was originally called "Wanabeze" which is Ojibwa for Swan Island. It was also called Snake Island. When the French came and settled the area in the early 1700s, they renamed it Ille Aux Cochons, or Hog Island. Then it was renamed in 1845 by a group of folks while picnicking on the island Belle Isle after Isabelle Cass, the daughter of the popular "Boy" Governor Lewis Cass.

[multigraincracker]

15. Just ask the tour guide.

[bif]

16. Egg-zackly!

[LisaM]

3. Wow that sounds fun!

I will check that out.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

4. Very cool!

I love that place

[if..fish..had..wings]

5. Always loved Belle Isle

I remember back in the 50's going there with my Grandmother. Canoeing, listening to concerts at the shell.
In the 60's watching the hydroplane races from the Detroit Boat Club.

Many decades, many memories...

[multigraincracker]

6. I use to spend a lot of time there

in the 80s. Lots of great finds with my metal detector. Have take my wife there sometime.

[Karadeniz]

7. Sounds perfect !!!

[MichMan]

9. Love the Piquette Plant

Visited a few years ago and really enjoyed it immensely. Did not expect the number and quality of vehicles on display.


Took Model T driving lessons at Gilmore several years ago as well.

[littlemissmartypants]

12. Wow! I wish I wasn't so far away. I'd love those tours. Thanks for sharing this, bif.❤️

[bif]

14. I love doing this.

I'm pretty much retired, except for the weekly movie reviews I do for the local paper. I'm a huge Detroit booster, so it's perfect for me. Love meeting folks from out of town.

[Hassler]

17. I loved going to Belle Isle when I was a kid, then later with my girlfriend

Parking on Woodside Drive. 😉

[Jack-o-Lantern]

18. Belle Island is beautiful...(Zug Island, not so much.)