Peddocks Island, Military fort and nature reserve in Boston Harbor, United States.
Peddocks Island is a 288-acre landmass in Boston Harbor made up of four separate headlands connected by natural sand and gravel bars. It features hiking trails winding through marshes, ponds, and coastal forests alongside the remains of old military buildings from different periods.
Fort Andrews was built in 1904 as a harbor defense installation and remained active through World War II, when Italian prisoners of war worked there as paid service units. This military period shaped the island's development for several decades.
Native Americans lived here for centuries before European farmers started working the land beginning in 1634, leaving layers of settlement history across the island. Today visitors walk past the traces of this long human occupation woven into the landscape.
The island is reachable only by seasonal ferry service departing from Georges Island, operating during warmer months. Camping facilities, drinking water, and restrooms are available on the east side, helping visitors plan their visit accordingly.
The island boasts the longest shoreline in all of Boston Harbor, spanning about 40 kilometers despite being made of four separate sections. This unusual shape developed through natural processes that linked the landmasses in unexpected ways.
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