Governors Island (Massachusetts) facts for kids
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Governors Island used to be an island in Boston Harbor in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. Today, it's no longer an island. It was covered up with land to build and expand Logan International Airport. This process is called land reclamation. It means adding soil and other materials to water areas to create new dry land.
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What Was Governors Island?
Governors Island was once a small piece of land surrounded by water in Boston Harbor. Over time, as the nearby city of Boston grew, more land was needed. This led to the process of land reclamation. For Governors Island, this new land was used to build a big airport.
Early History and Owners
Before it became part of the airport, Governors Island had a long history. It was first owned by an important early settler named Roger Conant. He was one of the first people to help start the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Because he owned it, the island was first known as Conant's Island.
Roger Conant's Vineyard
Roger Conant was not just a settler; he was also a farmer. He grew grapes on the island. These grapes were so good that one writer, Rev. John White, said they were "as good as any are found in France." He even mentioned some grapes were "four inches around," which is quite large! This shows the island had good soil for farming.
Fort Winthrop: Protecting Boston
Later, Governors Island became very important for defending Boston. It was chosen as the site for a fort called Fort Winthrop. This fort was named after Governor John Winthrop. He was a very important leader and governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His family was given the island in 1632. They owned it until 1808, when the land was bought to build the fort. Fort Winthrop helped protect Boston from attacks by sea.
Where is it Now?
Today, you can't see Governors Island as a separate island. It is buried under the land that makes up Logan International Airport. Specifically, it is located in the area north of the south end of runway 14/32. This means the airport was built right over where the island used to be.
