Modern History
The modern history of Rattlesnake Island began with the purchase of the island about 1929 by Herbert Bennett, the owner of the Toledo Scale Company, who developed the island by putting in a lodge, harbor, and east-west landing strip. A second north-south landing strip was added in the 1950s by a Catholic order. In 1959, the island was sold to James P. Frackelton, M.D., a Cleveland surgeon and owner of the Cleveland Stamp and Coin Company, and Robert C. Schull, a stockbroker. Frackelton and Schull further developed the island, but economic and market conditions forced the sale of the island in 1989.
Rattlesnake Island then became a private island that was re-sold in 1992 for $4.6 million. Frackelton and sixty-five other investors re-purchased the island in 1999.
Today, Rattlesnake Island is accessible only to the 65 members of the Rattlesnake Island Club. There are currently only about fifteen private and exclusive lots on the island. Sale of property on the island is controlled by the island club.
Most of the members travel to the island to take advantage of the private facilities, including a bar, restaurant, large pool and hot-tub, health club, tennis courts, bocci courts, miniature golf, and much more. Inside the main building, underneath the bar, is a racquetball court, basketball court, pool table, dart board, big screen television, a pinball machine, card table, and even a suit of armor. There are two landing strips for airplanes, which come and go often. These grass landing strips double as a small golf course. The pilot's lounge doubles as a pro-shop, with access to score cards and golf balls. Near the runway is a small cage containing peacocks. Members and guests on the island travel from one place to another on an electric golf cart. There are also seven hotel rooms which members can stay in for the night. Rattlesnake Island clothing can be purchased from a store located in a small shed adjacent the restaurant. In recent years, a second marina was added to the island.
The summer staff, mostly from Eastern Europe, numbers around 25 and there are separate dorms for the men and women working there. There is also a year-round caretaker and chef. The island's workers are trained to recognize each of the members and their families both by appearance and by the yacht they come in on. Any non-members will immediately be turned away by armed security guards in one of the island's two boats before the intruders even have time to dock. Because of the secrecy behind the island, many rumors and myths have arisen, including a rumor that criminal organizations use the island as a place to relax. With the tight security, the best place to view the island is atop the Perry Monument on Put-in-Bay.
In order to join the Island Club, one of the current members must quit, and the potential member must receive recommendations from at least two of the island's current members. The cost to join is estimated to be between $90,000 and $200,000 initially, as well as a monthly maintenance fee.
In September 2008 the Cleveland Scene Magazine did a follow-up article on this exclusive “country club” exposing the underside to this island retreat. The article indicated that the club isn’t as posh as some would like one to believe, rather it is a hotbed for seedy behavior and exploitation of its mainly Eastern European staff.
The reported population as of the 2000 census was only 2 persons.
Read more about this topic: Rattlesnake Island (Lake Erie)
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