4: Islands of Michigan, Part 2: High Island and the House of Virgins

The second episode of our "Islands of Michigan" series brings us to the enigmatic High Island, an element of the Beaver Island archipelago shrouded in both the tranquil beauty of Lake Michigan and the veils of a mysterious past. From 1912 to 1927, this secluded island became the unlikely setting for a community known as the House of David, embroiled in a narrative of faith, labor, and the solemn secrets of death.

High Island's story is one of stark contrasts, where the bustling activity of timber-cutting and farming by a religious commune stands in silent testament to the somber reality of its unmarked graves. It's a place where the simple, tragic act of dying incurred a harsh penalty - an unceremonious burial, an erasure from communal memory, a plot with no stone to whisper a name to the winds of history.

In this episode, we journey through the island's silent forests and open clearings to unravel the ethos of the House of David, their lives of celibacy and toil, and the beliefs that led them to treat death with such a stringent lack of honor. It is a tale that prompts us to reflect on the dignity of life and the respect owed in death.

Step onto the shores of High Island by visiting itshometownhistory.com, where the past echoes through the narratives we share. Subscribe to delve deeper into the layers of Michigan's history and join us in preserving the memory of those who rest in unnamed solace.

We encourage you to share your thoughts and engage with the haunting history of High Island. Your insights help to illuminate the dark corners of our shared past, keeping the stories of the voiceless alive. Stay with Hometown History as we continue to cast light on the forgotten chapters of Michigan's islands.