Hales Island, River island in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Hales Island is a river island in the Merrimack River covering roughly 54 acres with natural vegetation across its surface. Several artesian wells feed the site and contribute to its landscape character.
The island was initially used as grazing land for livestock before becoming a golf course in the early 1900s. A major flood in 1936 destroyed the golf facilities and restructured the landscape.
The island was once home to recreational activities that drew players from the surrounding region. Traces of this sporting past remain visible to observant visitors.
A stone bridge connects the island to Bradford and becomes partially visible when water levels drop. High water levels cause the bridge to submerge completely, restricting access to the site.
The island still contains foundation remains from the former golf clubhouse that visitors can explore. These remnants offer a tangible connection to the site's sporting past and its transformation over time.
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