Babbs Island facts for kids
Babbs Island is a small island located in the Ohio River. You can find it in Hancock County, West Virginia. It sits between two towns: East Liverpool, Ohio, and Chester, West Virginia.
The island got its name from the Babb family. This family, from Columbiana County, Ohio, owned the island a long time ago, from 1804 to 1820. John Babb was the first person from this family to own it. You can also see parts of the U.S. Route 30 bridge on the island. This bridge connects East Liverpool and Chester and was finished in 1978.
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Who Owns Babbs Island?
A small part of Babbs Island, at its southern end, belongs to the state of West Virginia. However, most of the island is privately owned. A group called The Babbs Island Boating Association owns a large part of it. This association allows its members to buy or lease land on the island.
The Babbs Island Boating Association
What is the Association?
The Babbs Island Boating Association started in 1987. This group bought land from a company called Dravo Corporation. Their goal was to create a fun place for members to camp and enjoy the river.
Camping on the Island
Since 1987, Babbs Island has been a popular camping spot for members of the association. There are many camps set up on the island. The upriver side has about 25 camps. The downriver side has a few less, and it is owned by a different association.
Island Size
Babbs Island is about 0.8 miles (1.3 kilometers) long. It's a narrow strip of land in the middle of the Ohio River, right near East Liverpool, Ohio, and Chester, West Virginia.
