Haddam Island State Park, State park on Connecticut River, United States.
Haddam Island State Park is a 14-acre island park in the Connecticut River with undeveloped natural terrain and fragile beaches along its northern edge. The park remains largely untouched, preserving the island's original landscape without significant structures or modifications.
In 1662, the Wangunk tribe sold the island and surrounding lands to English settlers. This transaction represented an early and significant shift in control of the Connecticut River region.
The island takes its name from early settlers who miscalculated its distance from the river mouth and called it Thirty Mile Island. This naming choice reflects how colonists adapted to their new landscape through trial and error.
Visitors need a boat to reach the island from Haddam Meadows State Park located about half a mile to the south. There are no regular ferry services, so private boat access is required.
During the 19th century, the island supported two fishing companies that formed the economic backbone of island life. The land later served for cattle grazing and corn farming as activities shifted over time.
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