The Philo B. Leonard, the first pilot boat based in DeTour Village, is a 1948 wooden vessel handmade by its namesake. The vessel won the Best of Show runner-up award at the Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show in 1985, and now lends its name and presence to a new shop in DeTour. In 1959 when the St. Lawrence Seaway was opened, allowing vessels from foreign seas to ply the Great Lakes, the Philo B. Leonard was the first pilot boat in DeTour Village. Situated at the mouth of the St. Marys River, the village is at a sort of crossroads for Great Lakes freighter traffic. Foreign vessels, known as "salties," need a licensed pilot to accompany them up the St. Marys River, and pilot boats ferry those pilots from DeTour Village to the freighters, so they can ride on the vessels up the river, until they get off at Sault Ste. Marie.

Albert Schopp operated the pilot boat, then known as Gwen, for many years, and also used the vessel to deliver materials and supplies to people living on the islands in the DeTour Passage and on the north side of Drummond Island.

Four decades later, a shop named for the vessel now delivers handmade items, fine art, and antiques to DeTour villagers and visitors. The Pilot House opened June 8, and customers can actually see the Philo B. Leonard, which is dry-docked beside the shop. The 28-foot, antique wooden boat was built in 1947 in DeTour by Philo B. Leonard for Mr. Schopp, the area's first pilot. Mr. Schopp hauled logs from Canada to provide the wood used to make the boat, and he originally named it Gwen, after his daughter. Gwen was a charter fishing boat and pleasure craft until she was put into service as a pilot boat, then sold by Mr. Schopp to Philo Leonard's granddaughter, Diane Leonard Adams. She re-named the boat for her grandfather, and after considerable refurbishment, it went on to win second place in the Best of Show category at the Les Cheneaux Antique Wooden Boat Show.

Angela Leonard, whose husband, George, has wooden carvings on display in the Pilot House, a new art and antique store in DeTour Village. Wooden lighthouse shutters made by John Kostecki Jr., son of the building's owners, John and Mary Kostecki, give a nod to the nautical heritage of DeTour Village. The boat now rests next to the shop that carries the wood sculptures of Philo Leonard's grandson, George Leonard, a wood carver. He and his wife, Angela, both work at the shop, as do a host of other artists whose items are displayed and sold in the historic building.

Mary and John Kostecki of DeTour launched the project after participating in DeTour's "Christmas in the Village," a holiday shopping collaborative that featured the works of area artists and craftsmen. Until then, the artists had limited exposure, and no real outlet to sell their pieces.

"I was so amazed by all of the artists we have in the area making things, and I wanted to do something to help the community," Mary Kostecki said, explaining that she thought there should be a place people could by their works all year, rather than just during the holidays. She also hopes the business will help boost the village's effort to attract more business and tourists.

The Kosteckis bought and provided the building to start a shop, and an informal group of artisans and antique collectors gathered to develop the store's unique operating structure. The store is managed by a board of directors, and a jury selects the content for the shop from among the artisans in the DeTour Village area. The Kosteckis insist they only provide the building, and credit its management to the Pilot House board.

The board resembles an artists' cooperative, Mrs. Dudeck said. Everyone pitched in to prepare the house and helps manage and maintain the store.

The store carries original watercolors, pottery, jewelry, wood carvings, pen and ink drawings, antique lamps, cards, soap, jam, baskets, glassware, vintagestyle wool bears, and more works by 31 vendors, displayed on and around antique furniture on both floors. Some of the furniture is even for sale. Everything for sale at the Pilot House is made by hand, antique, or unique, said Janelle Dudeck, a member of the board, who has been pleased with the store's first two months in business.

"Business has been really good," she said. "Something that sells every day is jam, soap, or earrings. We know it's been a bad day if we don't sell one of those items."

The board is also proud to offer pieces in every price range, from as low as $1 to antique furniture and custom-made stained glass lamps.

The Pilot House is on DeTour's main street, at 158 Ontario. The store is open seven days a week until Labor Day, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Plans are to remain open through the Christmas season, but with reduced fall hours.