Fighting Island
  | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Detroit River |
| Coordinates | 42°13′18″N 83°07′12″W / 42.22167°N 83.12000°WCoordinates: 42°13′18″N 83°07′12″W / 42.22167°N 83.12000°W |
| Area | 6.06 km2 (2.34 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 174 m (571 ft) |
| Country | |
|
Canada | |
| Territory | Ontario |
| County | Essex |
| City | La Salle |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1 (permanent) |
Fighting Island is a 1,500-acre (6.1 km2) island in the Detroit River— the largest Canadian island in the river. It is part of the town of LaSalle, Ontario, Canada, opposite Wyandotte, Michigan and downriver from Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario.
Originally populated by indigenous peoples, it was settled by the French during the 18th century, and has had numerous owners since then. The natives named it Fighting Island in the late 18th century, because they used it to attack passing British ships.[citation needed] In the late 19th century, prize fights were often held off the island.[citation needed] A number of attempts were later made to build a resort on the island, but all were unsuccessful.[citation needed]
In 1918, the land was bought by John B. Ford of the Michigan Alkali Company to treat the effluent produced by the company. Michigan Alkali Company became Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation, which was subsequently bought by BASF. Today, Fighting Island is privately owned by BASF Corporation. A current programme running on the island is used to teach elementary/secondary schools about biology and ecology.