BWCA Cemeteries on Basswood Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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OtterTail
member (39)member
  
05/22/2013 01:25PM  
Has anyone been to visit the cemeteries on the east side of Washington Island, or the west side of Indian Grave (or Grove, depending on the map) to the north of Washington? I'm thinking of day trip ideas and thought it might be interesting to visit, just wondering if anything is left to see or has it been taken back over by the woods. Here's a photo to give an idea of where they are.

 
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Harv
distinguished member (281)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/24/2013 10:02AM  
I didn't know they existed; I camped on Washington last year...for sure would of went and looked for it. That will be good to explore
 
05/24/2013 10:52AM  
Interesting. I'll try to get there when I am up there with the fishing boat.
 
05/24/2013 06:14PM  
I checked out the cemetery site at the east end of Washington Island back in the 80s. It was a designated campsite.. Pretty weird. Maybe the USFS didn't know they were putting a campsite on graves back in the day.

Then again, there are unmarked graves all over our landscape...
 
05/24/2013 08:26PM  
Interesting stuff. I'd like to know more.
 
05/27/2013 09:49AM  
quote Kevlar: "Interesting stuff. I'd like to know more."


Ditto
 
Mike200a
member (13)member
  
07/02/2021 02:01PM  
I know this is a very old post, but just came back from basswood and seen these names on the map. Does any one know really where these burial sites?? Or just names given to them?? At the one that is a camp sight is there and evidence showing that there was something there? Which camp site is it? I’m very interested in the history of basswood lake and wanting to learn as much as possible before all the memories are gone about what once was there. Also anyone know where the marker is on half dog island?
Thanks
 
07/02/2021 02:35PM  
Very interesting! Looking at a 1956 aerial photo of the area, I can kind of imagine a square clearing with a big tree in the middle of it where the cemetery on Washington Island is located. But maybe that's because it was a campsite then too. In the aerial photo you can certainly see the buildings that are west of Indian Grave Island. Wonder if you can find any traces of those anymore? This certainly warrants further investigation!
 
Mike200a
member (13)member
  
07/02/2021 08:20PM  
Where did you find the map at. Which camp site is at the cemetery? Assuming it is still a camp site today.
 
07/02/2021 11:16PM  
I’ve got Navionics and snapped a photo with t(e terrain overlay on.

 
Stumpy
distinguished member(2207)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/02/2021 11:51PM  
Knowing Indians in area, I know of grave sites in BWCA & Quetico.
I was told not to reveille them & I won't.
I have visited many, and left only but a prayer.
I know of one grave, where a skull was taken.... sad & sick !
There are many out there.... RIP
 
07/03/2021 08:25AM  
Stumpy: "Knowing Indians in area, I know of grave sites in BWCA & Quetico.
I was told not to reveille them & I won't.
I have visited many, and left only but a prayer.
I know of one grave, where a skull was taken.... sad & sick !
There are many out there.... RIP "


Did you leave any tobacco?
 
mistertotten
  
06/15/2025 02:09PM  
 
06/16/2025 09:29PM  
There were various graves in Quetico and personnel belongings of these native Indians were often taken by various people in the past.
 
06/16/2025 09:52PM  
There is a large square concrete foundation at the northenmost Washimgton island site. We understood it to be from an old resort that was once run from there. If there was anything else near there it was covered by vegetation. I accidentally got out on the island behind it because we thought we were at the back of Washington island and were wondering if we could reach the campsite from behind without fighting the wind around the point. The island felt strange, probably because it was covered in small pine trees and pine needles, had very little brushy growth and lots of spiders between the trees. We figured it out when I got back to the boat. I wouldn't have gone on there if I'd known, but felt uneasy when I was on shore since it was unlike other areas.
 
06/18/2025 05:54PM  
Freeleo1: "There is a large square concrete foundation at the northenmost Washimgton island site. We understood it to be from an old resort that was once run from there. If there was anything else near there it was covered by vegetation. I accidentally got out on the island behind it because we thought we were at the back of Washington island and were wondering if we could reach the campsite from behind without fighting the wind around the point. The island felt strange, probably because it was covered in small pine trees and pine needles, had very little brushy growth and lots of spiders between the trees. We figured it out when I got back to the boat. I wouldn't have gone on there if I'd known, but felt uneasy when I was on shore since it was unlike other areas. " Canada Agnes has grave sites which time and weather make them impossible to find anymore.
 
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