The island, which is about 13 miles into Thunder Bay from the small boat harbor, features a large lighthouse, a train carriage and tracks, a foghorn building, and many groomed trails for exploring.

The Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society spearheads the projects on the island and works hard to make sure the resources and historic structures are maintained the best they can be.

Alpena Township owns a portion of the island but is in the process of working with the state to acquire the rest of it.

Plans are also in place to have a large dock that will lead people to the walking paths that guide visitors to the center of the island where the lighthouse and other interesting structures reside.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Artifacts from the Coast Guard and other important aspects from the island are encased in glass in the housing section of the lighthouse.

Alpena Township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe said Alpena’s origins go directly back to the island where early settlers called it home. He said it later went on to become a Coast Guard facility and many of the remnants from the Coast Guard station remain.

Skibbe said his parents have been involved with the Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society for decades and he grew up learning about and working on it. He said he is excited for the future of what the island can become and for others to experience it the way he has.

Now, the island is primitive in terms of the amount of infrastructure on it. There is no power, water and sewer, or other amenities many parks on the mainland have. Several portable toilets are on the island for people who need to use them while exploring it.

Skibbe said the rustic feel and lack of convenient amenities is part of its charm.

The trails and forests on the island are clean and little to no trash litter them, and the land surrounding the lighthouse is freshly mowed and has blooming trees and plants.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz The remains of the old boathouse at Thunder Bay Island is seen on May 16 and is easily visible to people who visit the island.

At the top of the lighthouse, you can see miles into Lake Huron and above much of the island.

Currently, there are no docks at the island and anyone who wants to explore it must moor their boat and wade to shore, or run their boat aground.

A new dock and walkway will make it easier for people to utilize, even if it is miles from the harbor in Alpena.

Currently, a consultant is surveying the island for the docking project and will submit a design plan and cost estimate for it. The township hopes to have the designs and cost in July.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A consultant doing survey work set up some equipment on Thunder Bay Island. The consultant will take the data and design a large docking system and walkway for future guests. There is currently no dock on the island.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz An unusual-shaped tree is one of many that line the trails on Thunder Bay Island that few people get to enjoy. Alpena Township and the Thunder Bay Island Preservation Society are working to make improvements to the island to make it more accessible to the public.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A sign sharing some historical facts about the lighthouse is seen on May 16 on Thunder Bay Island, greeting people who visit the island.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz An old tramway that shuttled equipment to and from the water was a large asset to people who worked on the island and is seen in this picture.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A large plaque is seen that shares the history of the tramway on the island and what it was used for. There is also a foghorn building, a lighthouse, and many other interesting things to discover on the island.