Mason's Island
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Long Island Sound |
Coordinates | 41°19′56″N 71°58′5″W / 41.33222°N 71.96806°W |
Area | 600 acres (240 ha) |
Length | 1.2 mi (1.9 km) |
Width | .8 mi (1.3 km) |
Administration | |
United States | |
State | Connecticut |
County | New London |
City | Stonington |
Demographics | |
Population | 399 (2020) |
Mason's Island (Algonquin: Chippachaug - meaning: a separated place) is an inhabited island at the mouth of the
Geography
The island is approximately 600 acres (240 ha) in area overall, being 1.2 miles (1.9 km) in length north-south and 0.8 miles (1.3 km) in width east-west and is formed by solid granite bedrock. A quarry supplying rough granite for breakwaters (e.g. at Newport, Rhode Island) was located at Pine Hill on the northwestern side of the island.[2]
There is a 47-acre (19 ha) 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 fresh water pond that was formerly used for harvesting ice.[3]
Notable natives and residents
- Mary Wilkinson Streep - fine artist, editor and mother of actress Meryl Streep
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 Islandis an island located close to Mason's Island.
References
- ^ Haynes records 1651: Connecticut granted Chippachaug (Mason's Island) to Major John Mason, who defeated the Pequots.
- ^ 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
- ^ MIPOA Accessed January 25, 2009.