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Prior to the
arrival of the Europeans, St. Joseph Island was
inhabited by the Ojibway. Around 1798, the British
government negotiated Treaty No. 11 with the Ojibway
which resulted in St. Joseph Island becoming British
property.
European
immigration to the Island occurred in the late 1770’s
with the arrival of the fur traders. The Northwest
Company established a trading centre on the southern tip
of the Island in 1783. By the late 1830’s, permanent
settlement had begun with Major William Rains obtaining
a charter to colonize the Island with one hundred
families.
The first
township, St. Joseph, was formed in 1876; Hilton
Township was formed in 1883 and Jocelyn Township in
1886. The Village of Hilton Beach, formerly known as
Marksville, separated from the Township of Hilton in
1923.
Early
industries included the fur trade, fisheries, lumbering
and agriculture. Wharf facilities were built to service
boats travelling through the North Channel.
Until early in
the 20th century, residents relied on small
boats to reach the Island. Ferry service was introduced
in 1919 and continued till 1972 when a bridge was
constructed connecting the Island to the mainland.
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