Stony Island has intrigued me in my fly-overs of the Detroit River islands for it sunken barges and boats. Has anyone been there?


Some history... "Stony Island was originally Potawatomie Indian territory used for hunting and fishing. After being deeded to the Macombs of Grosse Ile in 1781, it became part of a railroad-ferry river crossing between Canada and the U.S. for the Canadian Southern Railroad during the late 1800s. During the 1930s, the island was used as a center of operations to create the Livingston Channel, and then later as a base for dredging the shipping channel [by Dunbar & Sullivan Dredging Company who ceased operations in 1987].

A small residential community existed on the island during this time. These homes no longer exist, however, abandoned machine shops and several sunken non-motorized barges remain. The Island is currently a part of Grosse Ile Township and is a residentially zoned area. No utilities are available, however."

This map posted by MikeG some time back shows the bridge from the mainland and rail line.


I also found these two ruin porn tours.
Stony Island, Detroit's Boat Graveyard [[Pt. 2)

Stony Island, Detroit's Boat Graveyard [[Pt. 1)


I find it interesting that it is zoned residential and would seem like a charming place to live, once cleaned up, however I believe there is the better intention is to return it to nature as part of the Detroit River Conservancy project.

I wonder if there will be an effort to pursue Dunbar Sullivan to clean up the mess they left behind.