Thacher Island facts for kids
Thacher Island is a small island located off the coast of Cape Ann in Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the town of Rockport. This island played a small but important role during the American Revolution, especially because of its lighthouses.
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A Look Back in Time
Thacher Island is named after Anthony Thacher. The waters around the island were very dangerous for ships, and many shipwrecks happened there. Because of this, sea captains asked the government to build a lighthouse on the island.
On April 22, 1771, the local government allowed two lighthouses to be built on Thacher Island. These lights began shining on December 21, 1771.
Lighthouses During the Revolution
Even though the lighthouses helped fishermen and sailors, some people in the area worried they were helping the British fleet more than the American colonists. This feeling grew stronger after important battles like the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill.
In July 1775, a group of minutemen led by Dr. Samuel Rogers went to the island. They turned off the lights and brought the lighthouse keeper, Captain Kirkwood, his family, and his helpers back to the mainland.
The two lighthouses were rebuilt and lit again in 1861. They are about 900 feet apart and stand 124 feet tall.
Thacher Island Today
Today, the northern part of Thacher Island is a special protected area called the Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge helps protect wild animals and their homes.
Thacher Island in Film
In August 2018, a movie based on Casey Sherman’s book "Animal" was announced. The film is called "Thacher Island" and is being made by Fox 2000 and Berlanti Productions. The writers of the film BlacKkKlansman, David Rabinowitz and Charlie Wachtel, are writing the script.
The movie will tell the story of Joe Barboza. In 1967, he agreed to share information about a crime group. He became the first person in American history to join a special program that protects people who help the police. As part of this program, Barboza and his family were taken to Thacher Island. They stayed there, protected by US marshals, until a trial could happen.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Thacher para niños
