Chopawamsic facts for kids
Chopawamsic Island is a special island located in the Potomac River. It's one of the few islands in Virginia that are part of the river.
Island History
This island was once called Scott's Island. We don't know much about its early history before the 1900s. This is because many old records from Stafford County were destroyed. They were burned during the American Civil War.
You can only reach the island by boat. Over the years, several families have lived there. The island is about 13-acre (53,000 m2) in size. It has a main house, a guest house, and a caretaker's house. There are other buildings too. These buildings were built in the early 1900s. People say they were designed to look like homes in Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon in England. The main house even has a balcony that looks out over the Potomac River.
The buildings need a lot of repair today. Electricity comes to the island through a special underwater cable. Water is supplied by a deep well on the island, which is 280 feet deep. The island is currently for sale.
Some documents from the American Civil War show that the Confederate States of America controlled this area. They held it until the winter of 1861. The Confederates had many camps nearby in Quantico. They used Chopawamsic Island for rest and fun. You might even find old photos of Chopawamsic Island. These photos could be among the historic pictures of the Quantico area. They are on display at Hospital Point on the United States Marine Corps base.
Amazing Wildlife
Chopawamsic Island is home to many different kinds of animals and plants. It has various natural areas where wildlife can live. In the wetland parts of the island, you can see many birds. Flocks of swans, geese, and ducks use the calm waters. They come here to find food and rest.
During the warmer months, lots of migratory songbirds visit the island. There is a lot of bird activity, especially in the spring. Large birds like Ospreys and bald eagles also make their homes here. You can also spot wading birds. These include the green heron, great egret, and great blue heron.
Island Owners and Events
The first English person to live on the island was Giles Brent. He settled there in 1649 with his wife, Mary Kittamaquund. Mary was the daughter of the "Tayac," or paramount chief, named Kittamaquund. He led the Piscataway nation. This was the most powerful tribe on the north side of the Potomac River. Other tribes paid tribute to them. The Piscataway were friends with the Powhatan Confederacy. At that time, they had good relationships with the English governments. These included the settlements in Jamestown and the colony of Maryland.
Later, an early owner of the island was Reverend Alexander Scott. He was from the Church of Overwharten, which is now known as Aquia Church. He bought the island from the Brent family in the early 1700s.
As mentioned, the Stafford County Courthouse was burned during the Civil War. This meant that all the original records about who owned the island were lost. However, copies of some of these documents might be found at the Library of Virginia.
Here are some important dates and owners of Chopawamsic Island:
- June 5, 1878: E.A. Hore sold the island to Levi Woodbury from Washington D.C.
- June 24, 1887: Levi Woodbury sold the property to the Mount Vernon Ducking Society. Theodore Roosevelt was a member of this society.
- 1893 - 1903: Samuel Langley performed important experiments here. He tested early flying machines from a houseboat near Chopawamsic Island. In 1896, he made three flights using his Aerodrome models. These models were powered by a small steam engine. They had wingspans of about 14 feet (4.3 m). One flight covered half a mile! Another flew 3,300 feet, and a third went 4,800 feet. Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone, watched some of these tests.
- The National Geographic Society also owned the island for a period of time.
- November 3, 1915: Charles H. Pardoe sold the island to Charles J. Butler.
- July 29, 1958: Wilson and Lucy Fisher sold the property to Wesley and Dee Fry.
- 1979: The Fry family offered the island for sale for $1,050,000.00.
- June 14, 1983: The island was sold to Paul N. Temple.
- June 16, 1989: The island was sold to a group of partners who planned to develop it.
Did you know that John Lennon, the famous musician, once thought about buying the island for his home?
See also
In Spanish: Chopawamsic para niños
