Great Brewster Island facts for kids
Great Brewster Island is a cool island located in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. It's about 9 miles (14.5 km) away from downtown Boston. This island is special because it's one of the "outer islands" in the harbor.
The island itself is about 18 acres (7.3 hectares) in size. It also has an extra 49 acres (19.8 hectares) of "intertidal zone." This is the part of the beach that gets covered by water when the tide is high and then shows up when the tide is low.
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What Makes Great Brewster Island Special?
Great Brewster Island is different from many other islands nearby. Most of the other outer islands are low and rocky. But Great Brewster Island is a type of hill called a drumlin. A drumlin is a long, oval-shaped hill made from sand, gravel, and clay left behind by glaciers.
This island rises more than 100 feet (30 meters) above the ocean. This makes it stand out in the harbor!
Plants and Animals on the Island
Great Brewster Island is home to many different plants. You can find Apple Trees, Pear Trees, and Sumac. There are also pretty Beach Roses, different kinds of Grasses, and tall Common Reeds.
The island is also a very important home for birds. It has a large group of Gulls that live there. During their nesting season, the gulls can be quite protective of their nests and young. Because of this, it's best to avoid visiting the island during that time. You can only get to the island by private boat.
History of Great Brewster Island
Great Brewster Island, along with its neighbors Little Brewster, Middle Brewster, and Outer Brewster, got its name from an important person. The islands are named after William Brewster. He was the first preacher and teacher for the Plymouth Colony, one of the earliest settlements in America.
Early Visitors and Summer Homes
In 1891, something quite unusual happened on the island. Four women decided to spend two weeks camping there. This was seen as a very brave and unusual thing for women to do at that time! They wrote about their adventure, which was a big deal back then.
More recently, Great Brewster Island was a popular spot for summer fun. Local families used to have small cottages there where they could enjoy the warm weather.
World War II Role
During World War II, Great Brewster Island played an important part in protecting Boston. Soldiers set up an observation post on the island. This was part of a larger defense system called the Brewster Islands Military Reservation.
The military post had powerful 90 mm rapid-fire guns. These guns could shoot very quickly to defend the harbor. There were also bright searchlight stations to spot any enemy ships at night. A special command post helped control the harbor's minefield. This minefield was a hidden barrier of explosives in the water, designed to stop enemy submarines or ships from getting close to Boston.
