The Misery Islands (Great Misery Island and Little Misery Island ) are an

nature reserve A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...

established in 1935 in Salem Sound close to the

Salem Harbor Salem Harbor is a harbor in northeastern Massachusetts spanning an area north and south of Salem, Massachusetts, Salem. Historically the Salem Harbor was the site of one of the major international ports in the colonies. During the American R ...

Salem, Massachusetts Salem ( ) is a historic coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, located on the North Shore of Greater Boston. Continuous settlement by Europeans began in 1626 with English colonists. Salem would become one of the most significant seaports tr ...

. It is managed by the Trustees of Reservations. The islands are a part of the city of Salem, although they are much closer to the mainland of the city of Beverly, in whose aquatic territory they lie.

History

The islands' name come from shipbuilder Robert Moulton who was stranded on the islands during a winter storm in the 1620s. Great Misery Island, in the past, has had numerous structures on it. In the early 1900s, there was a private club that catered to socialites from Boston and surrounding areas. There was a casino, saltwater swimming area, 9-hole golf course (all par 3s) and lounge. After several years of business, the club went bankrupt and was abandoned. The land was sold off to private owners, many of whom built cottages on the land. Many records show that upwards of 25 cottages were on the island at one time. From 1916 to 1917, the

Massachusetts State Militia Aviation Camp Massachusetts State Militia Aviation Camp was an encampment of the Massachusetts Naval Air Militia that existed on Great Misery Island in Salem, Massachusetts from 1916 to 1917. See also * List of military installations in Massachusetts Reference ...

was an encampment of the

Massachusetts Naval Air Militia Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...

on the island. In the late 1920s a fire burned the majority of the structures down. The fire was blamed on a brush fire, but many of the residents believed it may have been set by visitors from land, since the fire happened during the off-season when owners were not there and cottages had been closed for the season. During the 1940s, a seaplane hangar was built on the west side of the island and was used for private charters, the hangar has since been removed but parts of the foundation can still be found along the beach. The island was purchased by a private nonprofit group during the late 1990s and is now used as a reservation. The island is now uninhabited and has no permanent residences.

References

External links

The Trustees of Reservations: Misery Islands

Essex National Heritage Area
The Trustees of Reservations Protected areas of Essex County, Massachusetts Islands of Essex County, Massachusetts Open space reserves of Massachusetts Tourist attractions in Salem, Massachusetts Protected areas established in 1935 1935 establishments in Massachusetts {{EssexCountyMA-geo-stub