Tiny Towns Part 2: La Pointe

This Tiny Town Is A Big Draw For Tourists

The Northland is made up of all kinds of cities – Big and small.

Madeline Island is located in Lake Superior. It is best known for being the largest of the Apostle Islands. A unique tiny community can also be found on the island. Though La Pointe has only about 250 residents, it is a popular destination for tourists.

The local school has a student body total of eight pupils. The school provides a unique learning experience for students, as all grades learn together in the same classroom.

Though the town is quaint in size, it becomes a major tourist destination in the summer and autumn – and the population sky rockets. Recent tourism figures show an increase of more than 20% from 2014 to 2015.

“In the summer we probably have about 3,500 visitors on any given day.”

“I think people come over here to get away. I think they come out here to enjoy the great outdoors and spend some quiet time enjoying nature.”

Locals have to travel back to the mainland for most of their supplies. The round trip ferry ride cost $30, but the people of La Pointe consider it a small price to pay for their year-round island getaway.