• Lush vegetation on the top of Spectacle Island's North drumlin dominates the foreground. Boston's skyline can be seen in the distance. The park's logo with tag line minutes away, worlds apart empashises the stark contrast between the city and islands.

    Boston Harbor Islands

    National Recreation Area Massachusetts

Island Facts: Snake Island

This island's mduflats and grassy clearings offer excellent off-shire birding opportunities.

 
Short History
The island is named for its serpentine shape. In the 1680s, it was known as "Bare Island." Some time in the 1700s, the island was owned by John Tenny. Livestock was grazed on the island. In the 1900s, a grounded steamer served as residence for the Treworgy brothers, lobstermen from Winthrop. Owned by the Tewksburys, Belchers, then Captain Samuel G. Irwin. Around 1900, O. E. Lewis purchased the island. Later squatters with cabins on the island were lobstermen and clammers, and included James Adams, Horton D. Fullerton, Bill Carey, John Green, and Judson G. Fullerton, and Hunt. Squatters were ordered to leave by the Winthrop Board of Health. The island has also been used as a recreational destination by Winthrop residents.
 

General Information
This island of Boston Harbor Islands national park area is managed by the Town of Winthrop.

Agency Designation: Conservation land
Current Use: Conservation purposes
Harbor Location: Inner Harbor
Acreage: 3.00 upland acres
Highest elevation: 10 feet
Longitude: 42° 21' 37.4" North
Latitude: 70° 58' 50.8" West
Miles from Long Wharf: 5.333
 
Visitor Facilities & Services
Hours:
Piers/Docks:
 No
Visitor season:
 0
Boat slips:
 0
Visitor staff:
 No
Moorings:
 0
Guided tours:
 No
Park boats:
 None
Lifeguards:
 No
Car access:
 No
Flush toilets:
 No
Campsites:
 0 (capacity ea: 0
Composting toilets:
 No
Group campsites:
 0 (capacity ea: 0)
Picnic areas:
 No
Camping capacity:
 0
Refreshments:
 No
Cooking grills:
 No
Drinking water:
 Yes
Walking trails:
 No

On-island Circulation: Unimproved trails.

Visitor Cautions: Resident birds are very territorial during nesting: visitation is discouraged during this season.

 
Natural History Overview
Wildlife
Survey in progress.

Water Features
No constructed features.

Views and Vistas
Logan International Airport; town of Winthrop; Deer Island.
 
Structures
Buildings
  • None
Fortifications
  • None
Other Structures
  • None
 
Alternate Names
Island names have changed, depending on ownership and the customs of the times. What's in a Name? lists alternate names for park islands (and a few Harbor islands not within the park). Following is another known name for Snake Island:
  • Bare Island

Did You Know?

Satellite Imagery of Boston Harbor Seafloor and Islands

Boston Harbor Islands is one of 14 national park that has the word "islands" in the name. Other island parks include Channel Islands in California, Apostle Islands in Wisconsin, Governors Island in New York and Assateague Island in Maryland.