Morgan's Island, Bermuda facts for kids
Morgan's Island was once a small island in Bermuda, a British territory. In 1941, the land was leased to the United States government for 99 years. This was so they could build a large naval base and air station called the Naval Operating Base Bermuda.
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What is Morgan's Point?
Morgan's Island is no longer a separate island. It was connected to a nearby island called Tucker's Island by filling in the water between them. Then, both were connected to Bermuda's Main Island with a narrow strip of land. This created a peninsula, which is land almost surrounded by water. Today, this area is known as Morgan's Point.
The US naval base on Morgan's Island was very important during its time. It helped with shipping and air travel for the US military. Over the years, the base was renamed the Naval Air Station Bermuda Annex.
Connecting Islands
To build the large base, engineers had to connect Morgan's Island and Tucker's Island. They did this by adding land, making them one bigger piece of land. This new, larger area was then connected to the main island of Bermuda. This made it easier to move people and supplies to and from the base.
The Base Closes
In 1995, the Naval Air Station Bermuda Annex closed down. This happened along with other US military bases in Bermuda. After the base closed, there was a delay in returning the land. This was because the British, Bermudian, and US governments had to agree on who would clean up any old waste left behind.
From Base to Resort
After the base closed, the land was given back to the Government of Bermuda. It was left mostly untouched for a while. The land was waiting for a cleanup and a decision about its future. For some time, the only group using the area was the Royal Bermuda Regiment, which is Bermuda's local army. They had even trained there when it was still a US base.
Cleaning Up the Land
Cleaning up the land was a big task. There were discussions about how to remove any harmful materials left from the base. This process took time, as different governments worked together to find a solution. The goal was to make the land safe again.
A Big Land Swap
Later, there was a plan to build a large hotel at a beautiful, wooded area called Southlands. Many people in Bermuda were very upset about this plan. To solve the problem, the government made a deal. They swapped the land of the former US naval base (Morgan's Point) with the developers. In return, the government received Southlands. Most of Southlands was then made into a public park for everyone to enjoy.
What's Happening Now?
Today, Morgan's Point is being prepared for a new resort. The land is being cleared and developed for this new project. This means the area is changing from a former military base back into a place for people to visit and enjoy.
