Henry Island (Nova Scotia) facts for kids

Henry Island is a cool island found in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It's part of Nova Scotia, Canada, and sits right near Prince Edward Island.

Where is Henry Island?

Henry Island is about 150 acres big, which is like 113 football fields! It's mostly covered in trees. The island is about 2.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. On its west side, you'll find tall cliffs that are up to 100 feet high. That's like a 10-story building! The water there can be very deep, up to 80 feet.

On the east side, there are shallow beaches. No one lives on Henry Island all year round, but a family owns it and stays there during the summer.

The Story of Henry Island

Long ago, old maps called this island "Iles aux Jestico." People aren't totally sure how it got its current name, Henry. Some think it was named after Henry Hood, whose father was an important leader in the British Navy way back in the 1700s. Others believe it might have been named for Prince William Henry, who was Queen Victoria's uncle.

The first person known to live on the island was James Campbell in the 1700s. The area was busy with ships, and a lighthouse was built on the island's highest point by 1854. For a while, from 1854 to 1866, fishermen would set up temporary camps on Henry Island every summer.

Later, in 1902, a new, taller lighthouse was built. It's 53 feet tall and is red and white. This lighthouse is still owned by the Canadian Coast Guard. A house was also built next to it for the lighthouse keepers.

The first few lighthouse keepers were all related to Angus MacLennan, who was a member of Canada's government and helped get the new lighthouse built. One of the last keepers before the lighthouse became automated (meaning it worked by itself) was Sterling Morrison in 1961.

By 1992, the old house next to the lighthouse had been empty for 40 years. But then, a person named William F. Baker bought the island and fixed up the house, making it look like new again!

How to Visit Henry Island

You can take boat tours around Henry Island to see its edges or walk to the lighthouse. These tours are a great way to explore the island's beauty.