The fascinating origins of Kelleys Island are explored and detailed in
this title.
Three and a half miles from the mainland, Kelleys Island was settled in
1833 by brothers Datus and Irad Kelley. Formerly known as Cunningham's
Island, it quickly built a reputation as a source of fine red cedar and
limestone. Grape vineyards, wineries, and a robust fishing industry
followed, and Kelleys Island developed a stellar reputation through the
19th century. It also started to attract tourists, lured by the cool
breezes and Shangri-La environment. Industrial change and population
shifts have challenged the island's economy. Tourism remains as the one
constant industry and has now become the principal enterprise. Kelleys,
known as the quiet island, can also be called the resilient island
because of its ability to reinvent itself. For visitors, the island's
2,880 acres present a complex patchwork of interesting homes, natural
and historical marvels, and a lively social life--assets that Islanders
have found ways to make the best of.