Monomoy Island facts for kids
Monomoy Island is a long, narrow strip of sand. It stretches about 8 miles (13 km) southwest from Chatham. This town is located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
The island's shape often changes because of shifting sands and water levels. Sometimes, it connects to the mainland. Other times, it is completely separated by water. Monomoy Island is home to the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. In old documents from 1691, it was called Cape Mallabar or Cape Malabar.
Contents
Discovering Monomoy's Past
Early Life on the Island
Even though Monomoy Island was far away, people lived there a long time ago. As early as 1710, a small community existed. A place for sailors to rest, like a tavern, opened near a spot called Wreck Cove. Today, this area is known as Hospital Pond.
Whitewash Village: A Fishing Town
In the early 1800s, a natural harbor formed on Monomoy's inner shore. This harbor was called the Powder Hole. It attracted many people who came to fish. A fishing village grew there, known as Whitewash Village.
At its busiest, about 200 people lived in Whitewash Village. There was an inn called Monomoit House. There was also a school, Public School #13, which once had 16 students. Fishermen caught lots of Cod and mackerel. They dried and packed the fish to sell in big cities like Boston and New York City.
Lobsters were also very common. They provided both food and money for the villagers. They would sell lobsters to people on the mainland for about two cents each.
The Village Disappears
Around 1860, a big hurricane hit Monomoy. The storm washed away the village's harbor. Because of this, everyone left Whitewash Village. It stayed empty for a few years.
In 1863, people rebuilt the village and moved back. But by 1876, it was abandoned again.
How Storms Changed the Island
Nature has continued to reshape Monomoy Island. In the spring of 1958, a storm created a wide channel. This channel separated Monomoy from Morris Island and the mainland.
Then, the Blizzard of 1978 split the island even more. It created two parts: North Monomoy and South Monomoy. However, a storm in the winter of 2006-2007 reconnected South Monomoy to the mainland. North Monomoy is still a separate island.
Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
In 1970, Monomoy Island became a Federal Wildlife Refuge. This means it's a protected area for animals. It's a very important stop for 285 different kinds of birds. These birds use the island during their long migrations.
Since 1972, gray seals have become very common. You can often see them on Monomoy and nearby South Beach island. A special part of the refuge is called the Monomoy Wilderness. This area is kept wild and untouched.
The Monomoy Point Light
Today, no people live on Monomoy Island. There is no electricity or paved roads. The only thing left from when people lived there is the Monomoy Point Light. This lighthouse helped guide ships from 1828 to 1923.
The old wooden house where the lightkeeper lived is still there. So are the metal light tower and a brick building. These buildings are on the very tip of South Monomoy.
Monomoy During World War II
The United States government took control of the island just before World War II. In 1944, the island was used as the Monomoy Island Gunnery Range. The US Army Air Forces and other military groups used it for bombing and shooting practice. The Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge was also created that same year.
The practice range was no longer used by 1951. The wildlife refuge, however, still exists today. In 1995, experts checked the old bombing range for any leftover training materials. They didn't find any, but they noted that some small practice bombs had been found there before. By 1995, the old bombing target was under water because the island had shifted.
Sharks Around Monomoy
Since 2013, more and more Atlantic great white sharks have been seen. They are often spotted off the coast of Monomoy and nearby islands. Some of these sharks have been tagged by a fishing boat crew. This helps scientists learn more about them.
