West Sister Island, located in Lake Erie near Ohio, has an unusual and unappealing nickname: vomit island. This small uninhabited island is part of the Lake Erie Islands archipelago and is just west of the larger South Bass Island. So why is it called vomit island?
History of West Sister Island’s Nickname
The origins of the “vomit island” moniker can be traced back to the 19th century when West Sister Island was quarried for limestone. During this time, the island was home to a lime kiln operation by the Kelly’s Island Lime and Transport Company. Limestone was mined from West Sister Island and transported back to Kelly’s Island where it was processed in kilns to produce quicklime. A byproduct of the lime production process was a strong, foul-smelling odor. This stench emanated from West Sister Island and wafted across the water to South Bass Island. The nauseating smell led to West Sister Island garnering the unsavory nickname of “vomit island.”
In the late 19th century, the limestone quarries on West Sister Island were abandoned and operations moved to the Marblehead Peninsula. However, the nickname stuck even after the lime kilns ceased spewing their noxious fumes. To this day, locals still refer to it as vomit island due to the malodorous history of lime production on the small island.
Geology of West Sister Island
The reason West Sister Island was quarried extensively for limestone in the 1800s is its geological makeup. The entire Lake Erie Islands archipelago consists mainly of limestone and dolomite bedrock. These sedimentary rocks formed millions of years ago when the area was covered by a warm, shallow sea. Calcium carbonate from the shells and skeletons of marine organisms accumulated on the sea floor and consolidated over time into limestone. Dolomite formed when some of the calcium in the limestone was replaced by magnesium.
On West Sister Island, the exposed bedrock is primarily limestone and dolostone from the Columbus and Detroit River formations. These rock units formed during the Devonian and Silurian periods when parts of Ohio were submerged by prehistoric seas. The availability of high-quality limestone made West Sister Island an ideal place for quarrying in the 19th century. The limestone was extracted and processed into lime which had many uses including mortar, plaster, and fertilizer.
Columbus Limestone
The Columbus Limestone forms the upper portion of the bedrock on West Sister Island. This rock unit consists of relatively pure limestone and dolomitic limestone in roughly equal amounts. It has a grey to bluish-grey color on fresh surfaces. The Columbus Limestone was deposited around 390-420 million years ago during the Silurian Period when Ohio was covered by a shallow, tropical sea.
Detroit River Group
Stratigraphically below the Columbus Limestone are limestone and dolostone layers assigned to the Detroit River Group. This rock group dates to the Middle Devonian Period, approximately 390-405 million years ago. Named after exposures along the Detroit River, the Detroit River Group contains significant dolomite and dolomitic limestone along with purer limestone layers. These carbonate rocks were formed inmarine and coastal environments.
Modern West Sister Island
Today, West Sister Island remains uninhabited and is part of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. The island has regrown forest cover since the quarrying ended in the late 1800s. A small beach and shoreline wetlands are present. Various waterbirds nest on the island, including herons, egrets, and cormorants. It also provides stopover habitat for migratory songbirds. A permit is required to access West Sister Island since it is part of the wildlife refuge.
Although no longer an active limestone quarry, the legacy of this past industry lives on in West Sister Island’s vomit island moniker. This nickname pays homage to the island’s geological nature which made it so useful for lime production decades ago. The strong odors from those operations left an indelible impression on South Bass Island residents. So while the stench may be long gone, West Sister Island remains vomit island to this day.
The Limestone Industry of Lake Erie’s Islands
During the mid to late 1800s, Limestone quarrying and lime production was a major industry on the Lake Erie Islands. This timeline shows key events in the establishment of the lime industry:
1833
The first lime kiln begins operation on Lime Island (today known as South Bass Island) by Joseph de Rivera Lorain. This kiln was located in present-day Put-in-Bay.
1837
Kelly’s Island Lime and Transport Company founded by Datus Kelley and partners. Limestone quarrying commences on Kelly’s Island across from West Sister Island.
1850
Kelley’s Island Lime and Transport starts quarrying limestone on West Sister Island to supplement their operations on Kelly’s Island.
1862
Kelley’s Island Lime and Transport is sold and reorganized as the Kelley’s Island Lime Company.
1867
The first lime kilns are constructed on Marblehead Peninsula on the mainland Ohio shore.
1873
The Kelley’s Island Lime Company begins transitioning operations to Marblehead Peninsula and stops quarrying on Kelly’s and West Sister Islands.
1897
The last lime kilns on Kelly’s Island cease operation.
At its peak, Limestone quarrying and processing employed hundreds of workers on Lake Erie’s islands and the adjacent mainland. Lime products were shipped throughout the Great Lakes region via lake freighters. But by the late 1800s, the more efficient kilns on the Marblehead Peninsula allowed the mainland to surpass the islands in lime production. Nevertheless, the legacy of lime production continued to impact West Sister Island through the vomit island nickname.
Bird Species Found on West Sister Island
As part of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, West Sister Island provides important habitat for numerous bird species. Both nesting waterbirds and migratory songbirds utilize the island due to its remote location. Here are some of the notable bird species found on West Sister Island:
Species | Breeding Season Status | Migration Status |
---|---|---|
Great Blue Heron | Breeding colony present | Spring and fall transient |
Great Egret | Breeding colony present | Spring and fall transient |
Black-crowned Night-Heron | Breeding colony present | Spring and fall transient |
Double-crested Cormorant | Breeding colony present | Spring and fall transient |
Caspian Tern | Breeding colony present | Spring and fall migrant |
Warblers | Does not breed | Spring and fall migrant |
The heron and egret rookery on West Sister Island was established in the 1990s and consists of dozens of nesting pairs. Caspian Terns also nest in the open areas of the island. During spring and fall migration, many species of warblers can be found foraging on West Sister Island as they travel between their breeding and wintering grounds.
Accessing West Sister Island
Since West Sister Island is part of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, visitors must obtain a permit to access the island. This is to protect wildlife and habitat. The following are key access points and considerations for visiting West Sister Island:
Permits
A free Special Use Permit from the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is required to visit West Sister Island. These permits help limit disturbance to wildlife. Apply at least 2 weeks in advance of the planned trip.
Boat Landing
The closest boat launching point is the DeRivera Park public ramp on South Bass Island. From there, it is about a 1.5 mile boat ride west to West Sister Island.
Best Times to Visit
Early spring and late fall offer the best chance to avoid disrupting nesting birds. April-May and October-November are good windows. Summer access is more restricted.
No Docking Allowed
Boats must not dock on West Sister Island – all access is by beach landing only. Anchoring boats offshore is also prohibited.
With advance planning and care, birders and nature enthusiasts can responsibly experience the natural beauty of vomit island. Respecting the wildlife refuge protections allows West Sister Island’s avian residents to continue thriving.
Conclusion
In summary, West Sister Island’s vomit island moniker originated in the 19th century when limestone quarrying and kilns produced foul odors. The geology of the small island allowed extensive lime production to supply growing regional demand. While the lime industry eventually faded, the vomit island nickname stuck. Today, West Sister Island is uninhabited and part of a wildlife refuge, providing essential habitat for dozens of bird species. Access is permitted but regulated to limit disturbances. Understanding the interesting history behind the vomiting island nickname provides deeper appreciation for this unique Lake Erie island.