Hidden beneath the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge lies Little Island. A small unassuming island in the Potomac River. It’s a quiet refuge a secret gem.
Little Island is south of Theodore Roosevelt Island. It is small only 1.547 acres. Yet it holds a fascinating history. Did you know it was once called South Island? Or Swan Island? Even Small Island. Its current name is surprisingly recent.
Imagine the island in 1863. The air crackles with tension. The first United States Colored Troops train here. They are the first official African American regiment in the Union Army. Their training ground was a secret. White officers were forbidden from visiting. Even President Lincoln didn’t know their location. This secrecy was crucial to their safety. Racial tensions in Washington DC were high. An attack on the troops did occur. It showed the danger they faced.
Little Island is undeveloped and wooded. There are no roads. Access is only by boat. It’s a place of quiet beauty. A place for reflection. A place to consider the bravery of those who trained here. The echoes of their struggles still resonate on this small island.
Frederick Law Olmsted planned to connect Little Island to Theodore Roosevelt Island. He envisioned a bridge. The plan was never realized. Perhaps it’s better this way. The quiet seclusion protects Little Island’s history. It’s a place where history and nature intertwine. It is a place that deserves to be remembered. A small island with a big story.