Ronald Rosie Collection

The Rosie's came to South Manitou Island from Macatawa (Holland, Michigan) in 1935. Ronald Rosie Sr. had been appointed 1st Assistant Lightkeeper on south Manitou as his first assignment, joining Keeper John Tobin and 2nd Assistant Ray Robinette. The family - Ronald, Johanna, and their two young boys Ronny and his two-year old brother Roger - came to the island aboard the lighthouse tender Marigold and moved into the keepers' quarters. They were the last family to occupy the house.

Ronald Jr. was 11-years old at the time. The boys were entrolled in the island's little school, under teacher Lenore Plowman. A love affair with Willie Beck's handyman Johnny Tucker culminated in a quick marriage, with Miss Plowman being replaced by Iola Tobin. Ronald graduated from the eighth grade three years later. He was fourteen.

In the winter of 1941, the tender returned to take the Rosie family to their next assignment, Ronald Sr. having been transferred to one of South Manitou's sister lights, the Seul Choix Point Light at Gulliver, Michigan on the southern coast of the Upper Penninsula, almost due north from the island. Four years later he was promoted to Keeper, and he served in that capacity until retiring in 1946.

This collection include the following images:

• RR001.jpg: Unknown.
• RR002.jpg: Unknown.
• RR003.jpg: Unknown.
• RR004.jpg: Coast Guard Chief Wheeler, South Manitou Island in the 1950's.
• RR005.jpg: Sketch of Coast Guard Station on South Manitou Island, by Virginia Grant, twin daughter of the Fred Wendal's.
• RR006.jpg: Sketch of Light Station on South Manitou Island, by Virginia Grant, twin daughter of the Fred Wendal's.
• RR007.jpg: Handwritten poem "Legend of the Sand Dollar" by Shirley Grant.
• RR008.jpg: Handwritten poem "South Manitou Island" by Shirley Grant.
• RR009.jpg: Handwritten poem "Fog" by Shirley Grant.
• RR010.jpg: Arial photo: South Manitou Island southwest corner.
• RR011.jpg: Arial photo: South Manitou Island northwest corner.
• RR012.jpg: Arial photo: South Manitou Island north side.
• RR013.jpg: Arial photo: South Manitou Island central interior.
• RR014.jpg: Arial photo: South Manitou Island "Sandy Point."
• RR015.jpg: Arial photo: South Manitou Island "Gull Point."
• RR015a.jpg: Arial photo: South Manitou Island - Composit assembled courtesy of Jack Sheridan.
• RR016.jpg: Sketch of South Manitou Island Light Station by Virginia Grant.
• RR017.jpg: Coast Guard Lookout Tower on South Manitou Island at its original location in the 1930's.
• RR018.jpg: Arial view of the South Manitou Island Light Station. circa late 1940's.
• RR019.jpg: Coast Guard lifeboat on South Manitou, with Coast Guardsman Jack Barratt aboard.
• RR020.jpg: View of the South Manitou Island village area from the Lighthouse tower.
• RR021.jpg: View of the South Manitou Island's "Sandy Point" from the Lighthouse tower. circa late 1930's.
• RR022.jpg: Unknown
• RR023.jpg: School class on South Manitou. Ronald Rosie Jr and younger brother Roger in the middle. Teacher is Iola Tobin.
• RR024.jpg: Sunday School on South Manitou Island in the late 1930's. Ronald Rosie Jr. standing at back just left of the door. June Warner at back in front of the door.
• RR025.jpg: Color postcard featuring South Manitou Island's beautiful Lake Florence.
• RR026.jpg: Postcard image of Sleeping Bear Bay from the D.H. Day State Park, showing the big Glen Haven dock.