Winery on Belle Isle?

[townonenorth]

come to think of it, I think I found something interesting. In the Google book that I published first here, I noticed some entries. Here's a excerpt from the Detroit Annual Report of Department of Parks and Boulevards, 1894. Link below.

The Casino privileges were handled differently this year than heretofore. The Casino on Belle Isle was leased for a consideration of 15^ of all gross receipts instead of a fixed rental. Its management has been satisfactory and the income from this source has been since April 1st, $2,931.30.This change was made to take from the lessee the temptation to impose upon the public in order to pay his rent and have a little left. The Pavilion on Belle Isle was let separately from the Casino this year for the first time, and it has been kept as a place of refreshment without beer or spirituous liquors, and has paid since April ist,$250.The Bath House under the charge of Mr. Charles A. King was well kept, well patronized and popular. The number of bathers was 50,585.The letting of bicycles has come to be one of the paying privileges leased by the Commission, and to accommodate bicycle riders many extra seats were placed on the upper end of Belle Isle and a few along the Boulevard. If the popularity of the wheel continues, a shelter or pavilion and checkroom are contemplated for the further convenience of riders.

The Boating has been interfered with by low water in the canals and by the greater popularity of the bicycle.The Bath House and the Casino, Pavilion, Boating and Bicycle privileges each yielded a revenue to the Commission this year.

So, Dnerd, HISTORICALLY, this is probably a valid purpose for the sainted Island....

http://books.google.com/books?id=i2k...20isle&f=false

Edit. Not to mention in 1912 or 1913, when they had the following list of service charges [[on top of leases I assume) for services leased by vendors.

Service Charges—
Phaetons, Belle Isle $ 21,329 01 Bath House, Belle Isle 13,971 60
Inspection permits 547 57 Clara Bath House 4,648 66
Labor and material 622 88 Casino service, Belle Isle 5,717 93
Casino service, Skating Pavilion 6,466 86
Casino service, Palmer Park 1,502 21
Damages to property 92 86
Street auto service 4,469 38
Total 59,368 96

http://books.google.com/books?id=Tb1...20isle&f=false

Phaetons, BTW are probably the horse carts.

And, this....

DETROIT.

Belle Isle Park.—One refectory; leased for $6,000, including wine and liquor privileges.

And by 1915 the city took them all over as city functions.