Cushing Island facts for kids
Cushing Island, sometimes called Cushing's Island, is a private island in Casco Bay in the state of Maine, United States. It is part of the city of Portland. About 45 families live on the island during the warmer months of the year.
Contents
Island History
Early Settlers
In 1623, an English explorer named Christopher Levett built a small fort, called a blockhouse, on the island. The King of England had given Levett a large area of land, about 6,000 acres (24 square kilometers). Levett left some settlers behind when he went back to England. However, he never returned, and what happened to those first settlers is not known. After Levett's time, the island was known as Andrews Island. Historians remember Levett as the first colonist in Casco Bay.
Changing Names and Owners
Over many years, the island had different owners and names. In 1734, it was sold to Joshua Bangs and became known as 'Bangs Island'. You can find this name on old maps from that time. Later, in the 1750s, Ezekiel Cushing owned the island for a short period.
The Cushing Family and a Summer Resort
In 1859, Lemuel Cushing bought most of the island. He was related to Ezekiel Cushing and was born in Quebec, Canada. Lemuel Cushing had a big idea: he wanted to turn the island into a popular summer resort. He built a large hotel called the Ottawa House.
Lemuel's son, Francis Cushing, started the Cushing's Island Company in 1883. He hired Frederick Law Olmsted, a very famous landscape architect, to help plan the island as a "summer colony." Olmsted designed the island's look, working with architect John Calvin Stevens.
The first Ottawa House hotel sadly burned down. It was rebuilt in 1888. But then, the second Ottawa House also burned down in 1917 and was never rebuilt.
Fort Levett and World War II
In the 1890s, the United States Army began buying land on the island. They wanted to build a military base called Fort Levett. This fort was named after Christopher Levett, the first English settler. The fort grew to cover about 200 acres (0.8 square kilometers) of the island. Fort Levett was used to defend the coast, especially during World War II. After the war, the military no longer needed the fort. In 1970, island residents bought the land back. Today, the entire island is privately owned.
Did you know there's a ship named after the island? The USCGC Cushing (WPB-1321) is a United States Coast Guard ship. It used to be in Mobile, Alabama, and is now based in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.
Exploring Cushing Island
Beaches and Cliffs
Cushing Island is a seasonal home for many families, but a caretaker lives there all year round. Some of the private homes can be rented for vacations.
The island has two main beaches:
- Little Beach faces Portland Harbor.
- Big Beach is located on the southern end of the island.
On the northern end of the island, you'll find Whitehead. This is a tall, steep rock cliff that looks out towards Peaks Island.
Getting Around
A ferry called the St. Croix provides service to the island. It leaves from Long Wharf in Portland and arrives at the summer dock, also known as Civilian Dock. Only private owners and their guests can access the island. You can also get to the island by water taxi from Portland. Many islanders also have their own boats, which they can dock at the Civilian and Government docks.
Nature and Trails
A large part of Cushing Island is a nature preserve. This area is owned by the Cushings Island Conservation group and is protected from new buildings. It is mostly covered in forests and has well-kept walking trails. You can also explore the old military buildings from when it was Fort Levett.
