Buckley Island facts for kids
Aerial view of Buckley Island
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 Buckley Island
Location in West Virginia
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Ohio River, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 39°23′52″N 81°25′18″W / 39.3978522°N 81.4217868°W |
| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Length | 2.6 mi (4.2 km) |
| Width | 1/8 mi (0 km) |
| Administration | |
Buckley Island is a special island located in the Ohio River. You can find it in Wood County, West Virginia, between the towns of Marietta, Ohio and Williamstown, West Virginia. A big bridge, Interstate 77, crosses the western part of the island. Over time, this island has had a few different names, like Kerrs Island, Duvall Island, and Meigs Island. Today, Buckley Island is part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area for nature. You can only reach it by boat!
Contents
Discover Buckley Island
Buckley Island is a fascinating place in the Ohio River. It's located in Wood County, West Virginia, right between Marietta, Ohio and Williamstown, West Virginia. Imagine a busy highway bridge, Interstate 77, crossing right over the western side of this island! This island is a protected natural area. It is part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, which helps keep the local wildlife safe. Because it's a refuge, the only way to visit Buckley Island is by boat.
Island's Past: A Brief History
Buckley Island has a long and interesting story. It has changed hands and purposes many times over the years.
Early Explorers and Names
The very first mention of the island we know about comes from a journal in 1770. This journal was written by George Washington, who was exploring and mapping the area back then. Throughout its history, people have called Buckley Island by other names too. Some of these old names include Kerrs Island, Duvall Island, and Meigs Island.
From Park to Refuge
In 1897, a company called Buckeye and Eureka Pipeline bought the island. They decided to turn it into a fun amusement park! People could visit and enjoy rides and attractions. However, in 1907, a big flood hit the area. This flood caused a lot of damage and washed away much of the park.
Later, in 1911, the Buckley family purchased the island. It stayed with their family for many years. Then, in 1998, the family sold the island to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This government agency works to protect wildlife and their habitats. They paid $400,000 for the island, making it part of the National Wildlife Refuge system.
Where Rivers Meet
Buckley Island is in a special spot where different rivers come together. The Muskingum River flows into the Ohio River just below Buckley Island. And the Little Muskingum River joins the Ohio River just above the island. This makes the area around Buckley Island a rich environment for many plants and animals.
See also
- List of islands of West Virginia
- National Wildlife Refuge System
