Fisherman Island (Maine) facts for kids
 Fisherman Island
Location in Maine
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Gulf of Maine |
| Coordinates | 43°47′50″N 69°35′58″W / 43.79722°N 69.59944°W |
| Area | 70.7 acres (28.6 ha) |
| Administration | |
| State | Maine |
| County | Lincoln County |
| Town | Boothbay |
Fisherman Island, also known as Fisherman's Island, is a small island off the coast of Maine in the United States. It's about 71-acre (29 ha) in size.
This private island has a very long history. People have been active here even before European settlers arrived. English fishermen began living on the island in the 1600s. In 2015, Fisherman Island was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was because of important ancient sites found there.
Contents
About Fisherman Island
Fisherman Island is part of a group of islands near the town of Boothbay. It is located off Ocean Point, which is the southern tip of the Linekin Neck area.
The island is quite narrow and about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. It has a very thin section in the middle. A narrow channel separates it from Ram Island, where the Ram Island Light (a lighthouse) is located. To the east of Fisherman Island are some rocky areas called The Hypocrites. This name might come from an older name for Fisherman Island, "Hippocras."
Buildings and Nature
In the northern part of the island, there is a small group of buildings. These buildings were used as a religious retreat for some years in the 1900s. Later, they were updated to be used as an inn or a family retreat.
The rest of the island has very few trees and is often windy. It is an important place for many types of waterfowl (birds that live near water) to build their nests.
Island History
Fisherman Island has signs of human life from ancient times. This is why it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
Early Explorers and Settlers
It is believed that an English explorer named George Weymouth landed on the island in 1605. Soon after, Damariscove Island (a nearby island) became a busy fishing community. By the 1640s, two families were said to be living on Fisherman's Island. At the same time, about fifteen families lived on Damariscove.
Times of Conflict
In 1676, during King Philip's War, Native Americans attacked Fisherman's Island. This was part of a larger effort against English settlements east of the Kennebec River. Because of this, the island was left empty until 1684. It was abandoned again in 1689 when King William's War began.
Modern History
In 1925, a minister named John Henry Wilson bought the island. He started a religious retreat there and built a large stone house. This house is still on the island's highest point today. Since then, the island has been redeveloped for other uses.
