Middle Bass, called Ile des Fleurs or Island of Flowers is a low green island with friendly people, blue water, glacial grooves, small houses, rental cabins, camping, beaches, marinas, an historic district, a wildlife refuge, and soon an Ohio State Park. The French explorer Robert LaSalle landed on the Island in 1679.  It was he and his men that named the island the Floral Island because they were impressed by the island’s beauty. 

Descendants of 19th century German settlers still live on the island; their families’ vineyard is gone now, but they play an important role in today’s island community. Some seasonal residents are sixth-generation summer islanders. Newer residents give the island their energy, enthusiasm, and diversity.

The earliest known inhabitants of the lower Great Lakes region were the Ottawa Indian tribe, whose name means "trader," and the Wyandot (Huron), whose name is believed to mean "islander" or "dweller on a peninsula." Pictographs carved several hundred years ago into a huge slab of limestone known as Inscription Rock on Kelley’s Island attest to the presence of Indians on the islands in Lake Erie ’s western basin.

During the early 1700’s, the Wyandot who had settled in the Lake Erie area, traded with the French and other Indian tribes peacefully until war broke out between Britain and France over fur trading and land. Britain won but gave up the area at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War at which time U.S. Citizens bought parcels.

Jose de Rivera Saint Jurgo bought the island in 1854 to cultivate for grape production until he sold it in 1864. In 1866, one of the new owners, Andrew Wehrle established the Golden Eagle Wine Cellars, which soon became one of the largest wineries in the country.

In 1884, island resident Peter Lonz established his own winery on the island. The Bass Islands earned the nickname " Wine Islands " and the wines they produced were compared favorably to fine French vintages. In 1926, Peter Lonz and his son, George, merged their own winemaking business with the remains of the Golden Eagle Winery after a fire destroyed parts of it in 1923. The Lonz winery was successful until July of 2000 when they closed.

The shell of the Lonz Winery can still be visited along with glacial grooves, historical areas, beaches, and marinas. Access is by public ferries, private boats and planes, and air services.

The Kuehnle Wildlife Area is a protected 20 acre pond managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.  The pond is a favorite quiet spot for the Victor’s, Florence ’s, Harteis’ and Woodward’s. 

~ Jody Victor