
The Apostle Islands are full of beauty, adventure and wildlife. But they also have a rich and varied history. This summer, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the park, we will be exploring that history with a little help from some friends: large, nearly life-sized standing poster board images of lighthouse keepers and sailors and ship captains and island lovers and more.
Each one will ask you a question, present a mystery of island history, and offer you a QR code. Use your phone to decode the QR code; it will direct you to the answer to that History Mystery.
Look for our History Mystery cutouts popping up in local shops, on the ferry, in the parks, all over the Bayfield area, and when you find them, introduce yourself, look for the question, and explore the answer to one of the History Mysteries of the Apostle Islands.

History Mystery: Who is considered the “father of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?”
Francis Jacker was keeper at Raspberry Island Lighthouse from 1885 through 1892. It was a life of solitude and storms.
History Mystery: How did his support for the park cost Julian Nelson a job?
Francis Jacker was keeper at Raspberry Island Lighthouse from 1885 through 1892. It was a life of solitude and storms.
You can solve Apostle Islands History Mysteries this summer
The Apostle Islands are full of nature’s beauty,...
History Mystery: Francis Jacker marooned on Oak Island!
Francis Jacker was keeper at Raspberry Island Lighthouse from 1885 through 1892. It was a life of solitude and storms.
History Mystery: How Gert Wellisch saved Sand Island Lighthouse
Gert Wellisch lived a life of island adventures and was the face of a new generation of young and empowered women.
History Mystery: Emmanuel Luick photos document life of the Sand Island community and beyond
Emmanuel Luick served as the head lighthouse keeper at the Sand Island Lighthouse from 1892 through 1920 when it was the first Apostle Islands lighthouse to become automated.