Middle Bass Island is an island of the U.S. state of Ohio,
located in Lake Erie. A small town, Middle Bass, lies on the
island. The 805-acre (3.258 km²) island is shaped like the Big
Dipper and is one of three Bass Islands located at the center of
a group of 23 smaller islands. Some of its more famous neighbors
are South Bass Island, with the town of Put-in-Bay, Kelleys
Island, and Pelee Island. The island has a year-round population
of 95 residents (2000 census). Seasonal population surges to
near 1,500 residents during the summer. The island was landed
upon by French explorer, Robert La Salle, in 1679. The abundance
of wildflowers on the island impressed La Salle and his crew so
much that they appropriately named it Isle des Fleures, the
Floral Island. It would retain this name for the next 200 years
until it was acquired by a German count in 1856. With the aid of
immigrant German workers, the island was used for growing
grapes. This proved to be a very successful undertaking. By
1875, Middle Bass Island's