Looking at the 1916 plat maps for Saginaw County, I noticed this island in the Saginaw River in Zilwaukee called Kaw Kaw is Kaw Island Family Resort Association. I found it peculiar since there currently is no island there. Looking east from the boat ramps in Zilwaukee, you can see the asphalt company and stone docks on the other side of the river. I was talking to Tom Trombly at the Castle Museum while working on another project, and we seen the map, and before I could ask him what he knew about it, he asked me if I knew anything. I told him know and was hoping he could shed some light on the subject, but all he ever found was the island on the plat maps.

I am wondering if at one time there was plans to build a resort association, but then the lumber industry faded away after the timber in the are was cut down, and then in the early 1900’s you had the great depression and it never came to be, or another theory I have is maybe they were slips for houseboats on the Saginaw River. I know over the years, the Saginaw River has changed, and maybe the channel that went around the east side of the island dried up and was even filled in. I wish I had more answers than questions, but it sure is a strange looking island on the old maps of Saginaw County.

P.S. Sorry I have not posted in a while, I was in South Carolina at Fort Jackson to my nephews graduation from Army basic training. I am very proud of him for making the commitment and thankful for all the fine men and women who serve in the military.

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