Peddocks Island: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Killion, Jeffrey; Eloshway, Melissa

Peddocks Island is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, Massachusetts, a cooperatively managed park owned and operated by eight separate governmental or non-profit institutional owners, including the National Park Service (NPS), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and Boston Harbor Now. The park’s islands and peninsulas encompass 1,600 acres of land at high tide that include archeological resources, historic sites, open space, wildlife habitats, and 35 miles of relatively undeveloped shoreline, all inside an area of 50 square miles and set against the skyline of Boston and other harbor communities. Peddocks Island is part of the Town of Hull, Plymouth County, and covers 210.4 upland acres. The park’s 34 islands are geologically unique as the only partially “drowned drumlins” (rounded hills created under glaciers and surrounded by water) in North America. Peddocks Island itself features five drumlins – two on East Head, and one each on Middle Head, West Head, and Princes Head – connected by low-lying sand and gravel bars called tombolos that can flood during high tides. The island’s highest point is the south drumlin on East Head, at 123 feet above mean low water. Peddocks Island is dominated by dense forests and long stretches of sand and gravel beach, with smaller areas of dry scrublands and marshes. It has the second largest number of plant species of the harbor islands, around half of which are exotics such as Norway maple. Multiple strands of Boston Harbor’s history intersect on Peddocks Island. Hidden amongst the dense forests is evidence of Native American seasonal habitation and use. On East Head are remains of concrete armament batteries, masonry support buildings, and a grass parade ground at Fort Andrews, a long-closed military post that represents the country’s military defenses in the harbor. Enclaves of modest vernacular cottages dot the island, especially on Middle Head, and tell of long-standing connections to families of immigrant fishermen, working-class residents, and summer vacationers. Lastly, the ongoing development of Peddocks for passive recreation and overnight camping reflects the long process of creating greater public access to the city’s waterfront and Boston Harbor. Today the island is accessible by private boat and seasonal ferry, with visitor services available at the rehabilitated Fort Andrews guardhouse.

Peddocks Island: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

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