Captain Kidd Island - McPherren Compound: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Isle Royale National Park, National Park Service

Jackson, Dan

The McPherren Compound is located on Captain Kidd Island, within Isle Royale National Park in Keweenaw County, Michigan. The 20.6 acre island is located to the northwest of the northeastern portion of Isle Royale. The cultural landscape occupies an approximately 1.72-acre area at the northeastern tip of the island. The landscape comprises a complex of buildings adjacent to a small, sheltered cove on the eastern side. The compound is accessed by boat, with the cove providing the entry point. Captain Kidd Island is designated wilderness, and the remainder of the land is undeveloped. The McPherren Compound includes seven extant buildings and two docks. There are essentially two layers of development. The first dates to circa 1920, when Emil Anderson built the private resort at Crystal Cove and the associated employee housing complex on Captain Kidd for George Megeath. Structures built at Captain Kidd during this period include McPherren Sleeping Cabin II, McPherren Tool Shed, and the non-extant privy. It is currently unknown if additional structures were built at this time and later removed. The docks originated circa 1920 and were likely rebuilt a number of times over subsequent decades. The second layer dates to the early McPherren era of occupation, primarily between 1935 and 1940. Buildings added during this period include McPherren Cottage, McPherren Sleeping Cabin I, McPherren Boat House, McPherren Bath House, and the non-extant woodshed. McPherren Sleeping Cabin III is noncontributing, as its presence postdates the end of the period of significance by twenty years. The McPherren Compound is significant at a local level under Criterion A for its role in the early twentieth century tourism movement on Isle Royale as a private resort complex. It is also significant under Criterion C as it is an example of the Rustic architectural style integrated into island vernacular. The period of significance spans from 1920, when George W. Megeath began construction of the property in conjunction with his private complex on Amygdaloid Island, until 1940, following acquisition by the National Park Service for inclusion in Isle Royale National Park. The property was determined eligible for the National Register on August 3, 1999. The cultural landscape retains integrity in location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and association. However, the advanced structural deterioration that afflicts all of the structures has degraded the landscape condition to poor. The property is currently under a residential special use permit by Jack and Sally Orsborn (the daughter of Wayne McPherren).

Captain Kidd Island - McPherren Compound: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Isle Royale National Park, National Park Service

Series