Going on a Tangent: Beaver Island (1 of 3)

Jul 22, 2025

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Come along on this journey to Beaver Island, where James Strang was crowned King! We’ll learn more about this early Mormon prophet. I’m taking you on a journey to Beaver Island, Michigan, a place central to the intriguing story of James Strang and his followers. You don’t want to miss this!

https://youtu.be/MPrutzK6ljQ

Don’t miss our other conversations about Strangism: https://gospeltangents.com/denominations/strangites/

Gospel Tangents

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James Strang: From Convert to Contender

The tale begins with James Strang, a relatively recent convert to Mormonism, having joined the church just a few months before Joseph Smith sent him on a mission to Wisconsin. After Joseph Smith was killed on June 27, 1844, James Strang made two significant claims to succeed Smith:

Angelic Ordination: Strang claimed that the angel Moroni appeared to him and ordained him to be the next prophet1.
Letter of Appointment: He also presented a letter, purportedly from Joseph Smith, dated June 18, with a postmark from Nauvoo, Illinois, on June 19.

The authenticity of this “letter of appointment” has been a major point of contention. Brigham Young immediately deemed it a forgery. A peculiar postmark (due to a piece of lint in the Nauvoo stamp) was used at the Nauvoo post office. Young followers claimed this was evidence of a forgery. However, when it was shown to be on other letters, Strang used as proof of authenticity.

Michael Quinn, a historian, believed the letter was a fraud or forgery. Quinn noted that the signature was written in block letters and Joseph Smith’s signature did not match his usual signature, although he acknowledged Joseph often used scribes. Quinn speculated that Strang might have taken a genuine letter from Nauvoo and written on it himself, with the postmark appearing to be genuine. The letter itself was vague, not explicitly naming Strang as the new church president, but rather seeming to put him in charge of the church in Wisconsin, a role Strang might have “inflated”.

Despite the controversy, Strang attracted some notable converts, including Joseph Smith’s brother, William Smith, as well as John Page, Martin Harris, and William Marks, with several members of the Smith family initially encouraging him.

Kingdom on Beaver Island

Strang eventually received a revelation to move his community from Wisconsin to Beaver Island, Michigan before 1850. On Beaver Island, James Strang, much like Joseph Smith with the Council of 50, was ordained a king. This ambition, where Mormons attempted to take over the government, often led to conflict with surrounding communities.

Tragedy and Scattering

The Strangite community on Beaver Island ultimately faced a tragic end. In 1856, James Strang was assassinated on the dock by former Strangites. These individuals are referred to as “pseudos” or “pseudo-Mormons” by Strangites, distinguishing them from the LDS term “apostates”. Strang was shot. Though not killed immediately, he succumbed to his wounds about three weeks later.

Following his assassination, the US Navy, which was patrolling Lake Michigan for pirates, scattered all the people on Beaver Island. They were dropped off in various ports, often penniless and without food or money, a “terrible tragedy” that led to the scattering of Strangites. Today, while the largest congregation is believed to be in Burlington, Wisconsin (which James Strang called Voree), smaller groups exist in New Mexico, Colorado, and potentially West Virginia.

Planning Your Visit to Beaver Island

For those intrigued by this unique historical site, Beaver Island is accessible by ferry or plane.

Travel from Grand Rapids: My journey started at Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan. From there, it’s about a three-hour drive to Charlevoix, Michigan, the departure point for the ferry or small plane.
Ferry vs. Plane: The ferry costs around $67 round trip, while a flight is about $150. I opted for the ferry to save money. The Emerald Isle is one of the ferry boats, and the ride takes about 2 hours. There are typically up to four ferry rides a day in the summer on the weekend, with just 1 during weekdays.
Ferry Logistics: It’s advisable to arrive about an hour early. Boarding is generally easy. Parking for the ferry is located at the library, about 3 blocks from the dock. You can bring a car on the ferry for an additional cost, or rent golf carts on the island, which measures about 6 miles by 12 miles.
Island Experience: Beaver Island is noted for its strong Irish influence, with many Irish immigrants having settled there, reminding them of Ireland. The island is currently home to about 500-800 residents year-round. In the summer, the population balloons to about 4000. Visitors can take a 1.5-hour van tour of the island, which discusses James Strang, and there is even a “Strang hotel”. The seas can sometimes be rough, so a smooth day for travel is a plus.

Beaver Island offers a rich blend of natural beauty and profound historical significance, providing a unique glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of American religious history. How many of you have gone to Beaver Island?

Gospel Tangents

Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.