Considering Moon Island from here, it is so close and yet so far. This 54-acre peninsula holds a unique place in Boston’s history. For years, Moon Island has been a place of both necessity and restriction.
Moon Island, one of the five peninsulas in Boston Harbor, has been connected to Squantum via a causeway since the 1870s. It is owned by the City of Boston, but is under the jurisdiction of Quincy. Imagine Native Americans spending their summers here thousands of years ago feasting on clams.
In colonial times, Moon Island was known as Manning’s Moone. It was mainly used for grazing and farming. By 1659, Moon Island was valued at twenty-eight pounds.
But Moon Island’s story takes a turn in the late 19th century. Boston needed a solution for its growing sewage problem. In 1878, the city began constructing a massive drainage system. This system would pump sewage to Moon Island for storage. The plan was to release it into Quincy Bay on outgoing tides.
The project cost a staggering 6 million dollars. That’s over 180 million dollars today. A 7.5-foot diameter brick sewer conduit was built. It ran from Old Harbor Point under Dorchester Bay to Squantum and Moon Island.
Four huge cut-granite storage tanks were built on Moon Island. These tanks could hold 50 million gallons of sewage. The sewage would sit in these tanks until the tide was just right. Then, it was released into the harbor.
This system improved water quality in the inner harbor. Swimming and yachting became more enjoyable. But as Boston grew, the system struggled to keep up. The harbor and beaches became polluted again. By 1939, Quincy Bay was considered revolting. More than 250 million gallons of raw sewage were dumped into Boston Harbor daily.
In 1968, the Deer Island sewage treatment plant opened. The Moon Island facility was put on standby. Sewage was diverted to Deer Island.
Today, Moon Island serves a different purpose. The Boston Fire Department has a training facility here. The Boston Police Department also has a shooting range. Because of these facilities, Moon Island is closed to the public.
Moon Island is not accessible for visitors. However, it plays a vital role in training those who protect our city. Although the island is restricted, its history remains a significant part of Boston’s story. It reminds us of the challenges we’ve faced and the progress we’ve made. The waters around Moon Island are now a prime fishing resource. This transformation marks a new chapter for this fascinating island.