Mason's Island

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This article is about the Mason's Island in Connecticut. For the island formerly known as Mason's Island that was owned by George Mason, see Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Mason's Island

Postcard showing a scene on the island (circa 1910)
Mason's Island (Connecticut)
Geography
Location Long Island Sound
Coordinates 41°19′56″N 71°58′5″W / 41.33222°N 71.96806°W / 41.33222; -71.96806
Length 1.2 mi (1.9 km)
Width .8 mi (1.3 km)
Country
United States
State  Connecticut
County New London
City Stonington

Mason's Island (Algonquin: Chippachaug); an inhabited island at the mouth of the Mystic River, in Stonington, Connecticut; part of the region of Mystic, Connecticut. The island was named after Major John Mason who was granted the island in recognition of his leadership of English troops and neighboring tribal nations in the brutal defeat of the Pequod nation at Mystic.[1]

Unlike Fishers Island, Mason's Island did not become part of New York. It remains under the political jurisdiction of the State of Connecticut.

Mason's Island is connected to the mainland by a causeway. Fishing is permitted from the causeway connecting Mason's Island to Mystic. Some of the island is owned by the Mason's Island Company and is regulated by property deeds. A quarry supplying rough granite for breakwaters (e.g. at Newport, Rhode Island) was located on the western side of the island.[2] The Mason's Island Marina and the Mystic River Marina are located on the north end of the island.

Geography

The island is approximately 1.2 miles (2 km) in length North-South and 0.8 miles (1.2 km) in width East-West and is formed by solid granite bedrock. There is a 47-acre (190,000 m2) nature preserve located in about the middle of the island. This nature preserve features a large salt marsh with surrounding woods that can be accessed by multiple trails. In the southern end of the island there is a large pond that was formerly used for harvesting ice.[3]

See also

  • Ram Island is an island located close to Mason's Island.
  • Enders Island is an island connected to Mason's Island by a causeway.
  • Fishers Island is an island located close to Mason's Island.

References

  1. ↑ Haynes records 1651: Connecticut granted Chippachaug (Mason's Island) to Major John Mason, who defeated the Pequots.
  2. ↑ Haynes, William. Stonington chronology 1649-1976: Being a year-by-year record of the American way of life in a Connecticut town. (2nd Ed. 1976), Pequot press, ISBN 0-87106-059-0
  3. ↑ MIPOA Accessed January 25, 2009.

External links

Coordinates: 41°19′57″N 71°58′06″W / 41.332482°N 71.96826°W / 41.332482; -71.96826

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