PDF (20 MB) - Virtual Library of the Public Library of Cincinnati

CHAPTER XXIX
KELLEY'S ISLAND
Kelley's Island, originally knoAvn as Cunningham's Island, is situated
a little to the Avest of north of Sandusky, in latitude 41° 35' north, and
longitude 82° 42' west from Greemvich. It AVIIS first thought to belong
to the fire lands, which Avere to be bounded on the north by the territorial
line, Avhich AA'as also the boundary betAveen Canada and the United
States, and should include all the islands of Lake Erie lying east of the
Avest line of the Western Reserve. After a long and bitter contest the
matter was compromised in such a Avay that this island remained a part
of the Reserve, but was not to be considered a part of the Firelands.
The earliest official record of Avhat is knoAvn as Kelley's Island Avas Avhen
ToAvnship No. 5 AA'as draAvn, in the division among themselves, of the Connecticut
Land Company's purchase, AA'hich covered the Avhole of the Reserve,
and was divided by lot among them. When a township of lesser
value was drawn something else was thrown in, and thus when Township
No. 5 Avas draAvn Cunningham's Island, thought to be of little value,
was added.and divided among the thirteen OAvners.
Of the history prior to this time there are relics and traces of Indian
life that show that different tribes lived here for a time, and Avere then
driven off and banished. Near the residence of Mr. Addison Kelley were
found arroAv-heads, broken pipes, implements and other articles of rude
Avorkmanship that point to a time Avhen a large village existed on the
spot. On the Huntington farm Avere still to be found remains of a circular
earthwork which must have enclosed seven acres of land. It Avould
be difficult to find a locality so full of prehistoric interest as this of
Kelleys Island, and the inhabitants are cordial in assisting the investigator.
Perhaps the greatest object of interest is "Inscription Rock," on
the south shore of the island in Lake Erie, just east of the steamboat
landing, Avhich is thus described by Colonel Eastman, AVIIO copied the
hieroglyphics for the government Avork:
"This rock is 32 ft. by 21 ft. and is part of the same stratification as
the Island, from which it has been separated by lake action. The top
presents a smooth and polished surface, like all the limestone of this quarter
when the soil is removed, suggesting the idea that this polish is due to
glacial attrition. Upon this the peculiar inscription is cut. The figures
and devices are deeply cut in the rock and yet it presents all its smoothness
of surface as if they had been exposed to the polishing or wearing
influence of water; yet this influence if from water could not have been
rapid as the surface of the water is 11 ft. beloAV the rock surface, its base
334