Cushing Island, Private island in Casco Bay, Maine.
Cushing Island is a private property in Casco Bay featuring several hundred acres dotted with seasonal cottages, open meadows, and two distinct beaches. The smaller beach overlooks Portland Harbor, while the larger one sits at the southern end.
An English explorer built a blockhouse on the land in 1623 as part of a royal land grant. Over the centuries, the area developed into a summer retreat for wealthy families.
The island's name reflects its connection to early colonial settlement and remains embedded in local histories. You can trace this heritage in the architecture and layout that define the place today.
As a private property, the island is not open to the general public, so access is restricted for casual visitors. Reaching it requires boat travel from the mainland, which is the only practical way to approach the area.
The island once hosted a fortress that served as a coastal defense installation during World War II. Residents later purchased this facility and integrated it into island life.
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