Historical Changes to Gull Island

Burkman, Peggy

Gull Island has experienced significant change over time to its height, shape, and vegetation likely due to a combination of its very exposed location, small size, and vegetation clearing practices. Government Land Office (GLO) assessors completed surveys on the islands between 1852 and 1857; Gull Island was mapped during April of 1857 (Wisconsin Public Land Survey Records). Surveyors mapped the island completely within Section 12 of Township 51 north, Range 1 west (Image 1). Interestingly, according to current public land survey system GIS maps, the island lies in both section 12 and in section 11. Historical surveyors noted that the island was 3.35 acres in size (based upon the bearing and chains information collected from meander notes, Table 1). Characteristics described on April 24th, 1857 included “Clay bluffs 10 to 15 feet high with boulders at the foot. Not much timber on the island. Undergrowth Balsam, Spruce, Birch” (Image 2).