RussH

Has anyone been on the island? If you aren't a member, do you have to be a guest of a member to get on the island?

I've e-mailed their website a couple of times about staying on the island and have gotten no response.

Russ

erie skipper

Was there years ago with a bank that had a membership Very exclusive and you probably won't hear back It's just an island with some nice homes on it and a main gathering place. THere is an air strip on one end; also a small marina.You'll need to hook up with a member to get there. And I really don't know who that would be anymore.

RussH

There is no listing of members any where I could find. I got chased out of the marina last summer, I knew it was private but
I didn't know it was THAT private. How do you become a member if you can't even get anyone to talk to you.

There was a show on the Travel Channel about the island, it's the most exclusive community in the world. Everything is super secret and you aren't even allowed to take pictures of the properties on the island. I've heard some rumors about some of the going ons such as gambling, hookers, and fantastic parties, but I have no way to know if any of them are true.

erie skipper

Rumor mill said Sinatra was involved as partial owner at one time----what does that say to you?

RussH

The Travel Channel said several well known Hollywood types used to frequent the island, among them was Sinatra and the rest of the "Rat Pack". Kind of hard to believe that this little island in Lake Erie would even be known by anyone other than locals.

Russ

Lady Bridge II

Years ago when my brother drove a limo he delivered Liza Minnelli to a marina in Catawba and was told she was heading to Rattlesnake Island.

There was also a short article about Rattlesnake Island in a recent Lake Erie Living magazine. They say you can't find owner info on the county auditors website.

Capt. KJB

You won't find any information such as a members list anywhere. It is very private, so much so that I don't believe the members even have access to the list. Membership is by invitation only.

FreeByrd

We held an event there last summer - all arranged through one of our customers that is a member. The clubhouse / bar area is pretty cool. Neat place but honestly once you take a golf cart around the island once and get over the fact that you are "ON" Rattlesnake Island it's no big deal. I've heard plenty of stories about the past of the island before they sold off lots and the houses were built, but don't think anything like that really goes on these days up there from what I've heard.
Steve

FJNESTA

I used to spend a couple of weeks up there every summer. I can say that no cazy parties have gone on in the past few years. Who knows about back when Sinatra was up there. Neat little Island the bar area was great it used to be on the honor system. I still know some members but if you want to join you have to seek them out, it is very closed to those they do not want. I am not a member just person who spent a lot time on the island in the past.

Reel Naughty

Here is some more info - entire island owned by a club.

http://www.ottawacountyauditor.org/P...40797210589000

JD

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GypsyJon

http://www.ottawacountyauditor.org/P...40797210589005

This property on Rattlesnake is owned by Baker Properties...I suspect that is Lee Baker, the guy who owns Foxhaven.

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GypsyJon

http://www.ottawacountyauditor.org/P...40797230254000

Hummm...two lots on Rattlesnake

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GypsyJon

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 1950's 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. Frackleton 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. Frackleton 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.[1]

Most of the members travel to the island to take advantage of the private facilities, including a bar, five-star 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, Pac-Man video game, a pinball machine, card tables, 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 zoo containing exotic birds and other animals. 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 the same building as the restaurant. In recent years, a second marina was added to the island.

The summer staff, mostly from Eastern Europe, numbers around 28 and there are separate dorms for the men and women working there. There is also a year-round caretaker and professional 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 arose, including a rumor that criminal organizations use the island as a place to relax.[2] With the tight security, the best place to view the island is atop the Perry Monument on Put-in-Bay. [3]

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 $100,000 and $300,000 initially, as well as a monthly maintenance fee.

Rattlesnake Island is the world's most exclusive playground of the wealthy, according to the Discovery Channel.

The reported population as of the 2000 census was only 2 persons.[4]

[edit] Rattlesnake Island Local Post

The island operates the only USPS-sanctioned local post operating in the United States.[5]

Service is provided by way of a Ford Trimotor which shuttles mail between the island and the mainland. From 1966 to 1989, USPS mail was routed by way of Port Clinton, Ohio. Today, outgoing mail from the island enters the USPS mail stream by way of Sandusky, Ohio.

Local Post service began in 1966 and continued through 1989, when the island was sold and the new owners discontinued the service. It was re-started in 2005 and continues to the current day. [6]

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RussH

Thanks for the updated information, interesting reading!

Russ

bigmig19

Nothing secretive or that special anymore. Free Times did a good story. To memory, Bob Serpentini (car guy)is the head honcho there I believe now. Yes there are "Eastern European" woman who work the island and are more or less barred from leaving unless they can pony up like 100$ for someone to take them ashore. You can probaly figure out why they dont want them to go ashore and you can probaly figure out why the woman dont talk. Apparently there is at least one "unlicensed massage therapist" there. Apparently the so called golf course is like 3 holes and pretty lame. I dont think its that special at all aside from exclusivity.

erie skipper

Fished behing the island today and had time to take a new look at it. Several new homes; say in the last three to five years, and nothing else abnormal in appearance compared to years ago. Key Bank had a membership for years and I'm sure other institutions did as well. Not sure about Serpentini, but the vowels seem consistent with normalcy.

jakehassett

I just found that article about Rattlesnake island, its very interesting here is the link:
http://www.freetimes.com/stories/15/...sland-revealed
Sounds to me like a bunch of weirdos run the place, I'll never buy a car from Serpentini!

Acunga

Hello I am one of the employees who worked on the island during the same year.I think exaggeration is included in the story.I was a maintenance though so I was not close with the bar and server staff.But I think Rattlesnake is a good place and some of the employees go back to work on the island.

Frazman

I've been over there quite a few times. there really isn't anything that special about the island. It IS a VERY exclusive club with many super wealthy members still today. Property on the island is "owned" by a trust to keep member's names private. The bar and restaurant are great but the island is too small to hold someone's interest for very long.

btw, Lee Baker from Foxhaven does not own property or hold a membership on the island.

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Capt. KJB

Just an update on Lee Baker, he unfortunately passed away a few months ago.