Garrett Island (Maryland) facts for kids
CSX Susquehanna River Bridge crossing Garrett Island (center at top).
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Cecil County, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°33′54″N 76°05′20″W / 39.5651122°N 76.0888391°W |
| Area | 0.309375 sq mi (0.80128 km2) |
| Highest elevation | 79 ft (24.1 m) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Garrett Island is a small island in Cecil County, Maryland. It sits about 1.8 miles (2.9 km) from where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay. The island is located west of Perryville and north of Havre de Grace. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service looks after the island as part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Two big bridges cross the island: the CSX Susquehanna River Bridge to the north and the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge to the south.
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What Makes Garrett Island Unique?
Garrett Island has a very interesting past! Experts say it is what's left of an ancient volcano. This volcano was once in a very old sea. The rocky, high ground on the island's west side is actually the old core of that volcano. You can still find basalt and quartz rocks there. These rocks were formed by the volcano long ago. Garrett Island is also special because it is the only rocky island in the Chesapeake Bay's tidal waters.
A Look Back: Garrett Island's History
Who Lived on the Island First?
People have lived on Garrett Island for a very long time. We know that humans were present there between 8,000 and 5,000 years ago. This means people were exploring and using the island thousands of years before Europeans arrived.
Early European Visitors
In 1608, a famous explorer named John Smith might have visited the island. However, there are no clear records to prove this. The first definite European visit was in 1637. This was when William Claiborne set up a trading post on the island.
Changing Hands and Names
Before 1637, in 1622, King James I of England gave the island to Edward Palmer. Because of this, it was first called "Palmer's Island." In 1637, troops from Maryland took control of the island. They built a fort there called Fort Conquest.
Later, during the time of the colonies, a family named Watson farmed the island. Because of them, the island became known as "Watson Island."
How Garrett Island Got Its Name
In the 1880s, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) bought Watson Island. They needed the land to build a bridge across the Susquehanna River. The island was then named after John W. Garrett. He was the president of the railroad at that time.
Wildlife on Garrett Island
Garrett Island is a great home for many different animals, especially birds! It provides a safe place for 44 different kinds of birds. Some of these birds include majestic eagles and beautiful common loons. You can also spot tundra swans and 14 different types of ducks there. The island is an important spot for these birds to live and rest.
