Bustins Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bustins Island
Bustions Island (former)
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Bustins Island public landing, named for Archie Ross, the former captain of its ferry
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Location in Cumberland County and the state of Maine.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Cumberland |
| Town | Freeport |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04013
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
Bustins Island is a small island located in Casco Bay in Maine, United States. It's part of the town of Freeport. Even though it's physically in Freeport, Bustins Island has its own special government called the Bustins Island Village Corporation. The island is a popular summer spot, with about 117 summer cottages. Some of these cottages are very old, dating back to the 1700s!
The main road on the island is Bustins Island Road. It circles the island for about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles). Smaller roads branch off from it. All the buildings on the island are built along these roads. This makes it easy to get around and for things like trash collection.
The island has its own ferry, named the Lilly B. This ferry takes people to and from the island. It leaves from the South Freeport town wharf. The ferry usually runs from late May (Memorial Day weekend) until early October (Columbus Day weekend). It arrives at a public dock on the island's southwest side. There's also another dock on the western side and a public ramp at the northern end.
The middle of Bustins Island is kept natural and undeveloped. This area is protected to keep it wild. It's important to be careful on the island because there's a risk of fire. There isn't a lot of water pressure for fighting fires. Many of the old cottages are more than a hundred years old, so they could catch fire easily. Several houses have burned down over the years. Because of this, you're not allowed to have open fires or fire pits on the island.
The island is named after an early settler, John Bustion. The ferry, Lilly B, is named after Lilly May Brewer. She and her husband, Ralph, were caretakers for the island in the 1950s and 1960s.
Contents
What Can You Find on Bustins Island?
The Store
The Store is located near the public dock on Bustins Island Road. It used to be a general store. Now, this building and the old Ships Inn Restaurant building are home to many important island services. You can find the island's post office here. There's also a library and a nature center. You can visit the Ships Inn museum and a first-aid room. The offices for the Bustins Island Village Corporation (BIVC) are also in this building.
Community House
The Community House is located more towards the center of the island. It's a very important place for island life. Many fun activities and events happen here. It's a central spot for everyone to gather.
Schoolhouse
Right next to the Community House is the old schoolhouse. It was built way back in 1888. The first teacher, John Hackett, taught eleven students there. The Bustins Island Historical Society (BIHS) has worked hard to fix it up and keep it looking good.
Fire Barn
The fire barn is also located near the Community House. This is where the island keeps some of its fire trucks. There are four fire trucks on the island in total. The fire barn also stores the island's tractor and utility trailers. These are all important tools for keeping the island safe.
Brewer Cottage
The Brewer family owns this cottage. It's a special meeting place for the island's committees. These committees help make decisions about how the island is run.
Fun Activities and Recreation
Bustins Island offers some great ways to have fun!
- The island has a six-hole golf course. You can find it on the eastern side of the island.
- There are also tennis courts. These are located in the center of the island, right behind the fire barn.
Famous Visitors
Did you know that a famous person once spent time on Bustins Island? Cole Porter, a very well-known American composer and songwriter, was a camper here. He attended an all-boys summer camp on the island. This camp was run by Admiral Donald Baxter MacMillan. MacMillan was a famous explorer who traveled to the Arctic.
