Calf Island (Massachusetts) facts for kids

Calf Island, also known as Apthorps Island, is a windy island located about 9 miles (14 km) away from downtown Boston. It's part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.

The island is about 18 acres (7.3 hectares) big. When the tide is low, it gets even bigger by about 16 acres (6.5 hectares) because more land is uncovered. Calf Island has a thin layer of soil where plants like wild cherry trees, beach plum bushes, grasses, chives, and mock orange grow. You can only get to Calf Island by private boat.

History of Calf Island

Early Ownership

Long ago, in the 1600s, Calf Island was given to a person named William Brewster from Plymouth Colony. Other islands nearby, like Great Brewster, Little Brewster, Middle Brewster, and Outer Brewster, are named after him.

Later, the island belonged to Charles Apthorp, who also owned Long Island and other land in the Boston Harbor area. This is why Calf Island is also known as Apthorps Island.

Buildings and Ruins

Over many years, people built small huts and houses on Calf Island. In 1902, a famous actress named Julia Arthur and her husband, Benjamin P. Cheney, Jr., built a large summer home there in a colonial style. Today, only old ruins of these buildings remain on the island.

Military Plans

In the 1920s, the United States Army had plans for Calf Island. They wanted to put very large guns, about 16 inches (406 mm) wide, on the island. These guns were part of the Harbor Defenses of Boston. Their job was to protect Boston Harbor from any attacks coming from the sea. The Army also planned similar gun batteries on Deer Island and Hog Island (now called Spinnaker Island). However, the gun battery on Calf Island was never built.