Hoffman Island facts for kids
Hoffman Island on left and Swinburne Island on the right as seen from South Beach-Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk at South Beach, Staten Island
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Lower New York Bay |
| Coordinates | 40°34′44″N 74°03′13″W / 40.578873°N 74.053688°W |
| Area | 11 acres (4.5 ha) |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State |  New York |
| City | New York City |
| Borough | Staten Island |
Hoffman Island is a small, 11-acre (4.5 ha) island made by people. It's located in the Lower New York Bay, near the South Beach of Staten Island, New York City. Right next to it is a smaller island called Swinburne Island, which is about 4-acre (1.6 ha).
These islands were created in 1873 by adding lots of dirt and rocks to a shallow area called Orchard Shoal. Hoffman Island is named after John Thompson Hoffman, who used to be the Mayor of New York City and later the Governor of New York.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Hoffman and Swinburne Islands were used as a special health station. This was a place where immigrants arriving at Ellis Island who seemed sick with contagious diseases had to stay. It helped prevent illnesses from spreading to the city.
Hoffman Island During World War II
Starting in 1938 and continuing through World War II, Hoffman and Swinburne Islands became a training center. The United States Merchant Marine, which is a group of civilian sailors who transport goods, used the islands to train their members.
During this time, special buildings called Quonset huts were built on the islands. While these huts are no longer on Hoffman Island, you can still see parts of them on Swinburne Island. The islands also played a role in protecting New York Bay. They were used to anchor huge nets underwater. These nets were meant to stop enemy submarines from entering the bay from the Atlantic Ocean.
What Happened After World War II
After World War II ended, people suggested different ways to use Hoffman and Swinburne Islands. In the 1950s, a city planner named Robert Moses and a political advisor named Bernard Baruch thought the islands would make a great city park. However, this idea never came true.
By 1961, all the buildings that were on Hoffman Island were taken down. Later, in the 1980s, some people suggested building a shelter on Hoffman Island, Swinburne Island, or both. This idea was also never put into action.
Hoffman Island Today: A Wildlife Haven
Today, Hoffman and Swinburne islands are managed by the National Park Service. They are part of the Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. These islands are very important for wildlife.
To protect the many birds that live there, the islands are closed to the public. Some of the birds you might find include great egrets, snowy egrets, black-crowned night herons, glossy ibises, double-crested cormorants, and great black-backed gulls. Since 2001, harbor seals have also been seen spending their winters on and around the islands.
