Malaga Island, Coastal island in Sagadahoc County, United States.
Malaga Island is a 42-acre piece of land at the mouth of the New Meadows River in eastern Casco Bay, located off the coast of Maine. Today the uninhabited site is managed by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust for public awareness and preservation.
Settlement on the island began in the late 1700s through a family line descended from Benjamin Darling. In 1912, state authorities forcibly removed all 45 residents and sent many to institutional care facilities.
The island once supported a tight-knit community that sustained itself through fishing and farming over generations. Today, visitors can sense the quiet history of those who made their lives here by the water.
Access to the island requires advance planning and arrangement with local boat services, as there are no regular ferries or scheduled transportation. Visitors should contact the managing organization ahead of time to discuss options for exploring the site.
After residents were forced to leave, graves from the island cemetery were dug up and moved to another location to prevent anyone from returning. This harsh act reflects the severity of what happened to this community.
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