A haven for wildlife. That’s Grape Island for you. Right off the coast of Weymouth south of Boston this 101-acre island is a true gem. Its size varies though depending on the tides. At high tide it’s 54 acres. At low tide it swells to a full 101 acres.
Grape Island boasts a rich history. Long before European settlers arrived Native Americans likely used its resources. Then in the 1600s it became farmland. Several farming families shared ownership throughout the 1600s and early 1700s.
During the Revolutionary War a fascinating event unfolded here. The island was owned by Elisha Leavitt a Loyalist. He provided hay to the British. This act sparked the “Grape Island Alarm”. Weymouth townspeople and the local militia saw the British taking the hay. They fired upon them and chased them back to the mainland. Abigail Adams herself wrote about the event to her husband John Adams. She described the many people from surrounding towns who participated in the skirmish.
Grape Island is more than just history though. Its natural beauty is breathtaking. Willow and elm trees tower over abundant wild berries. Raspberries blueberries and blackberries provide food for local wildlife. The island has retained its serenity and natural beauty because it was never used for industry or defense.
Later caretakers included Captain Smith in the late 1800s Captain Billy McLeod and his wife in the early 1900s to the 1930s and finally the Torressen family who left around 1940. In the 1970s it became part of the Boston Harbor Islands State Park.
Today Grape Island offers trails beaches picnic areas and campsites. It’s a true outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Unfortunately it is currently closed due to facility maintenance. But when it reopens it’s a place you won’t want to miss. This peaceful island whispers tales of conflict and cooperation nature and history. It is a place where the past and present intertwine creating a unique and unforgettable experience.