Collins Island is a part of Balboa Island in Newport Beach, California. In 1902, James McFadden sold his Newport townsite and about half of the Peninsula to William S. Collins, who saw Newport Bay’s resort and recreation potential.
Collins took on Henry E. Huntington as a partner in the Newport Beach Company. Huntington had acquired the Pacific Electric railway system and used it to promote new communities outside of Los Angeles. James Cagney bought or, it is said that he won the island in a poker game.[1] Collins Island in 1938. The Coast Guard used Collins Island during WWII and Cagney sold the island in 1948.[2]