Esopus Island facts for kids
Esopus Island from the Mills Norrie State Park marina in Staatsburg
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| Etymology | Esopus tribe of the Lenape Indian nation |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Staatsburg, NY |
| Coordinates | 41°49′31″N 73°56′51″W / 41.825340°N 73.947425°W |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Hudson River |
| Total islands | 1 |
| Length | 1,500 ft (460 m) |
| Width | 120 ft (37 m) |
Esopus Island is a small, uninhabited island in the Hudson River. It is part of Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park. You can find it in the town of Hyde Park in Dutchess County, New York.
Contents
Exploring Esopus Island
Esopus Island is located about 84 miles north of where the Hudson River meets New York City. It's about 1,200 feet from the shore. The island is southwest of Norrie Point in Staatsburg. It is also across from Black Creek in the town of Esopus.
Island Features
The island is about 1,500 feet long. Someone once described its shape as "a great stranded and petrified whale." There is a sandy beach on the southeast side. The north end has shallow areas called shoals. The island is covered with trees and has rocky areas.
Visiting the Island
Esopus Island is part of Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park. It is also part of the Hudson River Watertrail. You can find campsites, picnic spots, and trails here. It's also a good place for fishing. However, you can only reach the island by boat.
Nearby Islands
South of Esopus Island is a much smaller island called Bolles Island. This island is private property and has a house on it.
A Look at Esopus Island's Past
Esopus Island has a long and interesting history. Native American tribes, like the Lenape Indians, likely used the island a long time ago. There is a stone on the east shore that looks like it was shaped by humans. It resembles a megalith, which is a large stone used in ancient times.
Old Stories and Legends
There is an old story about a Jesuit missionary who visited the island many years ago. During the American Revolutionary War in October 1777, British ships anchored near Esopus Island. They were there before they attacked and destroyed Kingston, which was the capital of the area at the time.
Changing Owners
In the late 1800s, the island was part of the large property owned by Robert Livingston Pell. During that time, it was known as Pell Island.
Aleister Crowley's Stay
In 1918, a famous writer named Aleister Crowley spent 40 days and nights on Esopus Island. He called the island "Oesopus." During his time there, he worked on translating an ancient Chinese book called the Tao Te Ching. He also spent time meditating and painting messages on the rocks with red paint. Friends gave him money to buy supplies for his trip. Instead of food, he bought paint, brushes, and rope. He said he would be "fed by ravens," meaning he would rely on others to bring him food. Local people and his friends did bring him supplies during his stay.
For a long time, it was not allowed to camp on Esopus Island. This changed when the island became part of the New York State parks system.
Esopus Island in Stories
Esopus Island is an important setting in the book Piper Houdini: Nightmare on Esopus Island. In the story, Aleister Crowley returns to the island in 1926. He comes back to finish some special rituals he started in 1918.
