Unusual Places - Rattlesnake Island

Since I'm bored at work tonight, I pulled out one I had started months ago (back before the "Honduras Adventure" actually). Here's installment two.

Rattlesnake Island:



Geography: Rattlesnake Island is located on the western end of Lake Erie about 10 miles north of Port Clinton, Ohio. About 85 acres in size, it is one member of an archipelago known as the Lake Erie Islands.

History: The Lake Erie Islands were first inhabited by various Native American tribes. It wasn't until after the War of 1812 that American's settled in the islands on a semi-permanent basis. Lt. Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie (uttering the immortal line: "We have met the enemy and they are ours . . . .) Then, in another example of the way we mistreated our Native American's, the local tribes were "relocated" to reservations in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Since colonial times, Rattlesnake Island has been under private ownership. It was largely uninhabited until purchased by Herbert Bennett, the owner of the Toledo Scale Company, in 1929. He developed a lodge, harbor and air strip that made the island more accessible. In 1959, Dr. James P. Frackelton, owner of the Cleveland Stamp and Coin Company, purchased the island and applied to the Post Office Department for the establishment of a local post.



Postal History: Working with blinding speed, the Post Office Department finally gave their permission some seven years later, in 1966. The first stamps were rectangular in shape and were issued, on August 27th, both perforate and imperforate, in three denominations. Unfortunately, they were never put into use.

In December, 1966, the Post Office Department notified Dr. Frackelton that he was in violation of the Postal Code because the rectangular stamps were too similar to current U.S. postage. Dr. Frackelton countered by using the same designs but with a triangular shape and, thus received approval. These stamps were placed into use on January 23rd, 1967. Of course, additional "official" postage stamps also had to be applied to each piece of mail in order for it to enter the postal system. Dr. Frackelton contracted with Ralph Dietrick, a veteran WWII pilot and owner of Island Airways to provide the airmail service to Rattlesnake Island.

Stamps: Here are two Rattlesnake Island covers that might interest you.





For more information on the Rattlesnake Island local post go to:

http://www.rattlesnakeislandlocalpost.com/

or

http://www.wichitastampclub.org/Rat...akeIsle.html

Thanks, Swabbie, an interesting piece. Rattlesnake Island gets mentioned here occasionally, but is its name derived from the fact that it's overrun by rattlesnakes?




Which reminds me of Pogo's old comic strip line from Walt Kelly, which must be a knock off, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Great info Greg !!.........nice covers.

I've read two explanations for the name. One is that it originated with the Native Americans because the island was overrun with rattlesnakes. The other is that the two small satelite islands look like a snakes rattle. I like the first one better.

I want to know how the Native Americans saw the shape of the islands!


Zepplins !!

Jim

Maybe their spirits would soar with the eagles.

Great story Greg

Thanks for sharing it and the stamps with us.

Dianne