At one point, the Island of Many Names earned the nickname Hog Island, as noted in Along Grand Traverse Shore, by M.E.C. Bates and M.K. Buck. Buck wrote, Years ago, because of the many hogs left there during the summer to be fattened on mast (the fruit of certain forest trees), it was called Hog Island, but I am glad to say that this was never anything but a nickname.

Cindee wrote that early residents claim it was first named Eagle Island after a pair of bald eagles who made their nest there. The island changed hands several times before it was conveyed to Frederick Hall in December 1872. Hall named it Marion Island after his only daughter. Marion Hall Fowler kept the island many years after the death of her father before selling it to Henry Ford for $100,000 (with the intention that it would be preserved and not exploited). The island was then called Ford Island for a short time.

The island changed hands several times again before landing with its present ownerGrand Traverse County. By the time Cindees article was published in 1981, the name had reverted back to Marion Island.

Today, we call it Power Island, and were thankful that some things havent changedlike the 200 wooded acres, 5 miles of trails and some of the best camping around.

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The Many Names of Grand Traverse Bay's Power Island - MyNorth.com