Deer Island (Massachusetts) facts for kids
Deer Island is a piece of land that sticks out into the water, located in Boston, Massachusetts. Since 1996, it has been part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, which is like a special park made of islands in the harbor. Even though it's still called an island, Deer Island is actually connected to the mainland. This happened after a channel called Shirley Gut, which used to separate it from the town of Winthrop, was filled in during the 1938 New England hurricane.
Today, Deer Island is home to the Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant. This plant has tall, egg-shaped towers that are 150-foot (46 m) high. These towers are called sludge digesters and are easy to spot landmarks in the harbor.
The island itself is about 185 acres (0.75 km2) big, plus an extra 80 acres (320,000 m2) of land that appears at low tide. Most of the island (about two-thirds) is used by the wastewater plant. This plant cleans dirty water from 43 nearby cities and towns. It's the second-largest plant of its kind in the United States! The rest of Deer Island is a park area around the plant. It's a great place for walking, jogging, enjoying the views, having picnics, and fishing.
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History of Deer Island
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Early History: The 1600s
Long ago, in the 1600s, Deer Island was used for different purposes. During a conflict known as King Philip's War (or Metacomet's War) in the 1670s, it became a place where Native Americans were held. Many Christian "Praying Indians" were moved to Deer Island from their homes, even though some people tried to stop it.
During the cold winter of 1675–76, between 500 and 1,100 American Indians were kept on the island. They didn't have enough food or warm places to stay, and because of the harsh winter weather, many sadly died.
Later History: The 1800s and 1900s
In the mid-1800s, Deer Island became a landing spot for many people escaping the Great Famine in Ireland. These refugees were often sick and very poor. In 1847, a hospital was set up to help the new arrivals. Over the next two years, about 4,800 people were treated there. Many got better and started new lives, but more than 800 people passed away.
In 1850, a building called an almshouse was built on the island. This was a place for people who were very poor and had nowhere else to go. It opened in 1853 and was managed by the City of Boston. Today, there is a special stone cross, called a Celtic Cross, near where the almshouse used to be. It honors the 850 people who died during the Famine Era.
Later, in 1896, the almshouse became a short-term prison for Suffolk County. This prison, called the Deer Island House of Correction, stayed open until 1991.
During the August 1918 flu pandemic, a special study took place on Deer Island. Volunteers from a naval facility on the island helped scientists try to understand the flu. The scientists wanted to find a way to stop the illness from spreading.
The first plant to clean dirty water was built on Deer Island in the late 1800s. It was made bigger in the 1960s. The current, modern plant was built in the 1990s. Deer Island has been connected to the mainland since the big New England Hurricane of 1938. A lighthouse was built near the island in 1890 to guide ships. It was replaced with a newer one in 1984.
Fun Things to Do on Deer Island
Deer Island is a popular spot for outdoor activities. There's a path that goes all the way around the island, perfect for hiking or biking. You can get to the island by car, bus, or even by boat, as there's a public boat dock.
There are also trails that go up the hills on the island, including one near the water tower. From these higher spots, you can see amazing views of the city of Boston, the ocean, and Logan International Airport. It's a great place for watching planes take off and land! The very tip of the island offers some of the best views of the other islands in Boston Harbor.
