Apostle Island Hermit Treasure
Early fur trading in the seventeenth century was a booming industry in North America with many types of pelts reaching peak value through demand. By the 1800's this once lucrative industry began to dwindle with animal populations becoming scarce, forcing fur traders into exploring alternate sources of wealth. As fur trading exploded in popularity, trading posts were established across the continent, connecting resources and wealth into a large network. Fur outposts became early stores, reliable for a number of other essentials, changing along with the times. A well known Chequamegon trader, by the name of Benjamin Armstrong had done just this. Armstrong opened a store in La Pointe Wisconsin on Madeline Island, then later established a trading post on Oak Island, north of there. Benjamin traded wood to steamships passing through Lake Superior's Apostle Islands, and various goods such as corn and rye with the Chippewa. Around this time, La Pointe was the commercial hub for wester...
