1. Belle Isle Like everything else in the Area, Belle Isle was originally occupied by Native Americans, either as a place of residence or a place for rituals. In 1768 George McDougall was given permission to occupy the island by the King of England, and once there, he negotiated to purchase the island from the Ottawa and Chippewa. The purchase was made for eight barrels of rum three pounds of vermillion, three pounds of paint, and one belt of wampum.

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3. After McDougall bought the Island, he eventually sold it, and the island changed hands and was passed down from generation to generation many times. The last private owner was the Campau family, who build a home on the island in 1863.

4. Belle Isle Around the 1870’s, city officials were interested in building a large city park. By that time, New York City had been working to open Central Park, and other cities were trying to do the same. Detroit which was the 17 th largest city in the country and did not want to be left out. There were many plans, but eventually the idea to purchase the Island was made, and savings bonds were printed to try to finance the $200,000 purchase, and the fees for the architect Fredrick Law Olmstead.

5. Belle Isle Olmstead’s design for the park was meant to be simple to preserve the natural beauty of the park, but also because he feared that the city officials would not approve an expensive plan because Central Park had cost New York so much money.

6. Belle Isle Olmstead eventually quit the project, because he could not work with the many city officials who were constantly bickering over the details of the plan. Nonetheless, the park opened in 1882.

7. Belle Isle In the early days, transportation to the park was available by ferry.

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9. As the island became more attractions were added. The Casino was built in 1887.

10. Belle Isle The original Detroit Yacht Club was built in 1891, but burned down in 1904.

11. Belle Isle The Aquarium opened in 1904, designed by Albert Khan with tile work by Pewabic Pottery.

12. Belle Isle The Conservatory opened the same year - 1904.

13. Belle Isle The modern day Casino opened in 1908.

14. Belle Isle By the 1910’s the bridge was the main piece for transportation across to the island with many people stopping first at Electric Park, an amusement park at the foot of the bridge.

15. Belle Isle By the 1910’s the bridge was the main piece for transportation across to the island with many people stopping first at Electric Park, an amusement park at the foot of the bridge.

16. Belle Isle In 1915, the bridge caught fire and was replaced by the current bridge (named after General Douglas MacArthur) in 1923

17. Belle Isle In 1915, the bridge caught fire and was replaced by the current bridge (named after General Douglas MacArthur) in 1923

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