Grenadier Island, New York facts for kids
View of Grenadier Island in the winter.
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 Grenadier Island
Location in New York
Location of Grenadier Island in New York State
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| Geography | |
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| Location | St. Lawrence River |
| Coordinates | 44°02′35″N 76°21′50″W / 44.043°N 76.364°W |
| Area | 1,290 acres (520 ha) |
| Length | 2.3 mi (3.7 km) |
| Width | 1.4 mi (2.3 km) |
| Highest elevation | 279 ft (85 m) |
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United States
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| State | New York |
| Counties | Jefferson |
| Towns | Cape Vincent |
Grenadier Island is a 1,290-acre (5.2 km2) island located in the St. Lawrence River. It is about two miles (3.2 km) out from Mud Bay. You can find it in the town of Cape Vincent, in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The island is about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) long and 1.4 miles (2.3 km) wide.
Contents
Island's Past: A Look at Grenadier Island's History
Grenadier Island first became home to settlers in the early 1800s. John Mitchel was one of the first people to settle there. The Bedford family also moved to the island. Before 1824, at least 14 families lived on the island. They were already there when the land was officially granted to new owners. These early residents didn't want to give up their homes.
Early Life and Industries on the Island
Life on the island in the early days involved a lot of hard work. The main jobs were fishing, cutting down trees for wood (lumbering), and farming. People used the island's natural resources to make a living.
A Visit from General Wilkinson
In 1812, a general named James Wilkinson visited the island. He and his soldiers landed their ships in Basin Harbor. This happened after they had to retreat from the St. Lawrence River.
Another Name for Grenadier Island
At one time, Grenadier Island was also known by another name. People sometimes called it Isle aux Chevreuils.
Historic Buildings Still Standing on Grenadier Island
There are three buildings from the 1800s that you can still see on Grenadier Island today. These are the Schoolhouse, the Humphrey farm house, and the Stone House. The Stone House is located on the northeast side of the island. Both the Humphrey house and the Schoolhouse are in the middle of the island, closer to the northern shore.
The Grenadier Island Schoolhouse
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The Grenadier Island Schoolhouse is in the center of the island. It has just one room where all the students learned together. There was also an outhouse behind it. In the early 1900s, about 13 students attended this school. The schoolhouse is an important historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. This means it's recognized as a place worth preserving.
The Humphrey Farm House, or "Carbide House"
The Humphrey farm house was a two-story home. It had a basement and an attic. It was also known as the "Carbide House." This house has been empty for many decades. Over the years, it has slowly started to fall apart.
