Michigan

bif

(22,856 posts) Sun Jul 30, 2023, 09:59 AM Jul 2023

I now have a job giving tours of Belle Isle!

I just started doing the tours a couple months ago. We do the tours in old Model A Fords and operate out of the Piquette Plant. If you're interested, check out the website: antiquetouring.com

Our company also does an Automotive history tour and a Corktown tour.

18 replies

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I now have a job giving tours of Belle Isle! (Original Post) bif Jul 2023 OP

Nice! A very scenic area, I'm sure! Diamond_Dog Jul 2023 #1

It's an island park in the Detroit River bif Jul 2023 #2

that's really interesting. sounds like a cool job. congrats! nt orleans Jul 2023 #8

Originally named "Pig Island" Wednesdays Jul 2023 #10

I thought it was called Snake Island. multigraincracker Jul 2023 #11

Okay, I'll chime in here bif Jul 2023 #13

Just ask the tour guide. multigraincracker Jul 2023 #15

Egg-zackly! bif Jul 2023 #16

Wow that sounds fun! LisaM Jul 2023 #3

Very cool! Dyedinthewoolliberal Jul 2023 #4

Always loved Belle Isle if..fish..had..wings Jul 2023 #5

I use to spend a lot of time there multigraincracker Jul 2023 #6

Sounds perfect !!! Karadeniz Jul 2023 #7

Love the Piquette Plant MichMan Jul 2023 #9

Wow! I wish I wasn't so far away. I'd love those tours. Thanks for sharing this, bif.❤️ littlemissmartypants Jul 2023 #12

I love doing this. bif Jul 2023 #14

I loved going to Belle Isle when I was a kid, then later with my girlfriend Hassler Jul 2023 #17

Belle Island is beautiful...(Zug Island, not so much.) Jack-o-Lantern Jul 2023 #18

Diamond_Dog

(32,268 posts)

1. Nice! A very scenic area, I'm sure!

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 10:21 AM

Jul 2023

bif

(22,856 posts)

2. It's an island park in the Detroit River

Reply to Diamond_Dog (Reply #1)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 10:26 AM

Jul 2023

Between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit. Much of it was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead who designed Central Park in NYC.

orleans

(34,121 posts)

8. that's really interesting. sounds like a cool job. congrats! nt

Reply to bif (Reply #2)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 12:21 PM

Jul 2023

Wednesdays

(17,532 posts)

10. Originally named "Pig Island"

Reply to bif (Reply #2)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 12:33 PM

Jul 2023

Until the early 1800's, I think, because it was mostly pig farms then.

multigraincracker

(32,807 posts)

11. I thought it was called Snake Island.

Reply to Wednesdays (Reply #10)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 12:42 PM

Jul 2023

Then they brought in pigs to eat the snakes.

bif

(22,856 posts)

13. Okay, I'll chime in here

Reply to multigraincracker (Reply #11)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 03:08 PM

Jul 2023

It was originally called "Wanabeze" which is Ojibwa for Swan Island. It was also called Snake Island. When the French came and settled the area in the early 1700s, they renamed it Ille Aux Cochons, or Hog Island. Then it was renamed in 1845 by a group of folks while picnicking on the island Belle Isle after Isabelle Cass, the daughter of the popular "Boy" Governor Lewis Cass.

multigraincracker

(32,807 posts)

15. Just ask the tour guide.

Reply to bif (Reply #13)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 03:45 PM

Jul 2023

bif

(22,856 posts)

16. Egg-zackly!

Reply to multigraincracker (Reply #15)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 04:04 PM

Jul 2023

LisaM

(27,874 posts)

3. Wow that sounds fun!

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 10:28 AM

Jul 2023

I will check that out.

Dyedinthewoolliberal

(15,626 posts)

4. Very cool!

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 10:32 AM

Jul 2023

I love that place

if..fish..had..wings

(671 posts)

5. Always loved Belle Isle

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 10:37 AM

Jul 2023

I remember back in the 50's going there with my Grandmother. Canoeing, listening to concerts at the shell.
In the 60's watching the hydroplane races from the Detroit Boat Club.

Many decades, many memories...

multigraincracker

(32,807 posts)

6. I use to spend a lot of time there

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 10:37 AM

Jul 2023

in the 80s. Lots of great finds with my metal detector. Have take my wife there sometime.

Karadeniz

(22,631 posts)

7. Sounds perfect !!!

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 11:52 AM

Jul 2023

MichMan

(12,016 posts)

9. Love the Piquette Plant

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 12:31 PM

Jul 2023

Visited a few years ago and really enjoyed it immensely. Did not expect the number and quality of vehicles on display.

Took Model T driving lessons at Gilmore several years ago as well.

littlemissmartypants

(22,966 posts)

12. Wow! I wish I wasn't so far away. I'd love those tours. Thanks for sharing this, bif.❤️

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 12:52 PM

Jul 2023

bif

(22,856 posts)

14. I love doing this.

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 03:10 PM

Jul 2023

I'm pretty much retired, except for the weekly movie reviews I do for the local paper. I'm a huge Detroit booster, so it's perfect for me. Love meeting folks from out of town.

Hassler

(3,410 posts)

17. I loved going to Belle Isle when I was a kid, then later with my girlfriend

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 04:30 PM

Jul 2023

Parking on Woodside Drive. 😉

Jack-o-Lantern

(978 posts)

18. Belle Island is beautiful...(Zug Island, not so much.)

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sun Jul 30, 2023, 11:49 PM

Jul 2023

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