Buckley Island, River island in Wood County, West Virginia, United States.
Buckley Island is a river island in Wood County that stretches along the Ohio River between Marietta, Ohio and Williamstown, West Virginia. The island covers about 160 acres and is part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge system, with Interstate 77 running across its western section.
The first European documentation of the island appears in George Washington's 1770 survey journal, when he explored the Ohio River region for potential land claims. Later it became an entertainment destination until a devastating flood in 1907 ended that period.
The island operated as an entertainment destination from 1897, featuring a dance pavilion and bowling alleys until a devastating flood in 1907 ended its commercial period.
Access to the island requires a boat, and visitors should be aware of the regulations that apply to the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge. It helps to check conditions and any restrictions before visiting.
The island has carried five different names throughout its history: Devoll's, Kerr, Marietta, Meigs, and finally Buckley Island. These name changes reflect the shifting uses and different owners who were connected to it over time.
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