High Island's House of Virgins: Michigan's Cult

In the early 1900s, thousands of Americans joined a religious commune that promised actual eternal life, and handed over their life savings to prove their faith. When members inevitably died, they were buried in unmarked graves as punishment for their "faithlessness." This was the House of David cult of Benton Harbor, Michigan, whose bearded baseball teams toured with Satchel Paige and whose founder turned a thriving religious community into his personal harem.High Island, a remote outpost in Lake Michigan, served as the cult's penal colony and hideout for what they called the "House of Virgins", young women spirited away in the night whenever authorities came looking for evidence of sexual exploitation. Behind the traveling sports teams and wholesome image was a darker story of manipulation, control, and unmarked graves on a forgotten island.This is forgotten American history that reveals how charismatic leaders weaponize spirituality for power, and why thousands believed in a promise that was literally impossible to keep.Subscribe to Hometown History for weekly deep dives into America's most surprising local stories.How a religious leader promised eternal life and buried believers in dishonor when they diedThe House of David's bizarre success as traveling sports teams with floor-length beardsHigh Island's role as both penal colony and hideout for exploited young womenThe "House of Virgins" and cryptic telegrams about "green lumber" and "dry lumber"What happened when the cult's sexual exploitation scandal went to trialThe unmarked graves that remain somewhere on the island todayKey Figures:Benjamin Purnell ("Brother Ben") - Founder and self-proclaimed seventh messenger of heavenHouse of David members - The "Michigan Israelites" who believed in eternal lifeTimeline:Early 1900s: House of David cult founded in Benton Harbor, MichiganPeak years: 250,000 annual visitors to main campus; sports teams tour nationallyMultiple occasions: Young women hidden on High Island when authorities investigatedCult trial: Benjamin Purnell died during legal proceedings2018: Two living members remained in Benton HarborPresent: High Island uninhabited; buildings and graves disappeared from landscape Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-historyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy