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Known mostly these days for its beaches, forests, recreational harbor and seclusion, at one time Beaver Island was the only kingdom in the United States.
It started with the death of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons. Most Mormons considered Brigham Young to be Smith's successor but others followed the charismatic and intelligent James Jesse Strang.
Facing persecution where they originally settled, Strang moved his followers to Beaver Island in 1848. The Mormons flourished under Strang's leadership and became a political power in the region. Strang was elected to the state legislature. He also founded the first newspaper in northern Michigan.
Eventually Strang proclaimed himself king and the power apparently went to his head. One edict dictated the type of clothing that women would wear. Two women refused and Strang had their husbands flogged.
While recovering from their injuries, the husbands began plotting against Strang. One day in 1856 the United States gunboat Michigan pulled into the harbor at St. James and invited Strang aboard. As Strang walked down the dock the two men shot him and then ran to the gunboat. The gunboat pulled out and dropped the men off at a nearby island without arresting them.
After Strang died from his wounds mobs came from nearby Mackinac Island and drove the Mormons off Beaver Island, confiscating the Mormons' property.
Traditionally, the island's main industries have been fishing, logging, tourism and farming. These days tourism and home and cottage construction are at the top. Only a few hundred people live on the island year round.
Recreational offerings revolve around its harbor, beaches, inland lakes and that a large portion is state forest.
Beaver Island bills itself as America's Emerald Isle, partly reflecting the fact that many of its residents are of Irish descent.