Gould Island (Rhode Island) facts for kids

Aerial view of Gould Island in 1973

A 1907 advertisement for the sale of Gould Island and a McKim, Meade and White building

Gould Island is a small island located in Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, USA. It sits just east of Conanicut Island. This island is part of the town of Jamestown, Rhode Island. It covers an area of about 55.3 acres (22.4 hectares), which is roughly the size of 40 football fields!

Island History: From Native Americans to the Navy

Gould Island has a long and interesting past. It has been used by different groups of people over hundreds of years.

Early Days and First Owners

• The Narragansett Indians were the first known inhabitants of the island. They called it "Aquopimokuk."
• In 1657, a colonist named Thomas Gould bought the island from the Narragansett people. This is how the island got its current name.
• Over the years, the island was sold to several different families, including the Cranstons and the Carrs.

The American Revolution and a Fort

• During the American Revolution (the war when America fought for independence from Britain), one of the island's owners, Joseph Wanton, Jr., lost the island. He supported the British side, so his property was taken away.
• In 1778, a British naval leader named Captain Wallace built a military fort on the island. He called this fort "Owl's Nest."
• After the war, in 1803, a man named Caleb Gardner bought the island. It remained privately owned for many years after that.

Lighthouse and Football Training

• A lighthouse was built on Gould Island in 1889 to help guide ships. This lighthouse was later taken down in 1960.
• In 1909, Richard L. Howell bought the island. His daughter and her husband, Percy D. Haughton, later inherited it.
• Percy Haughton was a famous football coach for Harvard College. He used Gould Island as a special place to train his football team! Imagine practicing football on your own private island.

The Navy's Role and Today's Use

• In 1919, the United States Navy took over the entire island. They needed more space for their nearby torpedo station on Goat Island.
• The Navy built an airbase on Gould Island. This base had hangars (buildings for aircraft) and a special landing area for seaplanes. These planes were used for naval torpedo training.
• The airfield was no longer used by the 1950s.
• Today, parts of Gould Island are owned by the State of Rhode Island. These areas are protected as a wildlife sanctuary. This means they are safe places for animals and plants to live.
• The Navy and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center still own and use the rest of the island for their operations.