Galloo Island facts for kids
The Galloo Island Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Lake Ontario near Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County, New York |
| Coordinates | 43°54′20″N 76°24′59″W / 43.9056170°N 76.4163294°W |
| Area | 3.46 sq mi (9.0 km2) |
| Length | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) |
| Width | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Coastline | 10.0 mi (16.1 km) |
| Highest elevation | 285 ft (86.9 m) |
| Administration | |
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United States
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Galloo Island is a cool island located in the eastern part of Lake Ontario. It's close to Sackets Harbor in Jefferson County, New York. This island is part of the Town of Hounsfield.
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Exploring Galloo Island
Where is Galloo Island?
Galloo Island is about 6 miles (10 km) away from the mainland of New York. It's also about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of the border with Canada. It's the westernmost island in a group of four. The other islands are Little Galloo Island, Calf Island, and Stony Island.
Nature and Animals
Most of Galloo Island's shoreline is low and marshy. But on the northwest side, the island's forests meet Lake Ontario. The island has 10 miles (16 km) of shoreline. About 3 miles (5 km) of this shoreline are cliffs that can be as tall as 65 feet (20 meters)!
You can find lots of different animals living on the island. These include whitetail deer, foxes, beavers, raccoons, pheasants, and wild turkeys. There are also Canada geese and many types of ducks.
Galloo Island's Past
How the Island Got Its Name
Over the years, Galloo Island has been called by many different names. Some old maps and letters called it Isle au Galots, Galop, Gallou, and even Gallup. In 1897, the name "Galloo Island" was officially chosen. This was because it was the name used on an important paper signed in 1819 by Governor DeWitt Clinton.
The Galloo Island Lighthouse
A lighthouse was built on the western tip of Galloo Island in 1820. This lighthouse, called the Galloo Island Light, helps guide boats safely. Since 1963, it has been automated, meaning it works by itself without a person needing to operate it all the time. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) now owns it.
Old Buildings and Clubs
In the early 1900s, there were cottages on the island. Some special clubs were also located there, like the PK Club and the Fortnightly Club Fishing Lodge. A famous person named Robert Lansing helped start the Fortnightly Club. He was a very important person who served as the U.S. Secretary of State from 1915 to 1920.
The Galloo Island Coast Guard Station was built on the east side of the island in 1936. The Coast Guard helps keep people safe on the water. This station was no longer used after 1973, and the NYSDEC now owns it. There is also a small lookout tower on the island that belongs to the U.S. Government.
Today, the island has a grass airstrip where small planes can land. There's also a guest lodge with seven bedrooms that people can rent for short stays.
The Idea of a Wind Farm
In 2007, a company wanted to build a wind farm on Galloo Island. A wind farm uses many tall wind turbines to create electricity from the wind. The plan was to put up to 84 wind turbines on the island. They also planned for electrical lines, a place for boats to dock, and homes for workers.
However, this plan did not happen. In 2011, the New York Power Authority decided not to buy electricity from the proposed wind farm. Then, in 2013, the New York State Public Service Commission said no to the company's plan to build a long electrical line to carry the power from the island to a town called Mexico.
