This island of diverse habitats is home to a school and Outward Bound education center.

The island is home to Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center, a non-profit organization that puts people in fun but challenging situations in order to help them develop teamwork, compassion and self-confidence. Activities include sailing, climbing, leadership training and environmental exploration.

The island’s services include: summertime expeditions for youths ages 12-13; team building programs for youth groups and Outward Bound professional-corporate teambuilding; and Thompson Island Conference Center offering catered clambakes, company outings, parties, weddings and meetings.

The island’s natural features include a drumlin and a moraine; oak, tamarack, maple, and birch trees; open fields, wild flowers, and berry bushes; a pond; and 50 acres of salt marsh. It is home to many animals, including killdeer, herons, and hermit crabs.

Short History
Spectacle Island has a varied history that included farming, a quarantine hospital, a glue factory, resort hotels and a garbage dump. The island was recently the receiving ground for excavated material from the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project. The site is being returned to the public for recreation as a park is constructed over the landfill.

General Information
This island of Boston Harbor Islands national park area is managed by Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center.

Agency Designation: Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center; Willauer School
Current Use: Education; park purposes
Harbor Location: Inner Harbor
Acreage:    169.9 upland acres
Highest elevation:  78 feet
Longitude: 42° 18' 53.6" North
Latitude: 71° 0' 53.3" West
Miles from Long Wharf:  4.33

Visitor Facilities & Services

Hours:	By arrangement.	Piers/Docks:	Yes
Visitor season:	0	Boat slips:	0
Visitor staff:	Yes	Moorings:	0
Guided tours:	Yes	Park boats:	Park tour boat
Lifeguards:	Yes	Car access:	No
Flush toilets:	Yes	Campsites:	0 (capacity ea: 0
Composting toilets:	Yes	Group campsites:	0 (capacity ea: 0)
Picnic areas:	Yes	Camping capacity:	0
Refreshments:	No	Cooking grills:	No
Drinking water:	Yes	Walking trails:	Yes

On-island Circulation:  ACCESS IS RESTRICTED. Approximately one half mile of paved roads are located in the school complex and two miles of gravel roads extend along the length of the island. Paths extend throughout the campus area and into woodland areas.

Visitor Cautions:  Unsupervised use of rope courses is dangerous and is marked with warning signs.

Natural History Overview
Vegetation
The island is a mix of hardwood tree stands, remnant pear and apple orchards, ornamental trees and shrubs, open meadows, shrubby areas of successional growth, sumac groves, salt marsh grasses, and manicured lawns, including a soccer field.

Wildlife
Survey in progress.

Geology
The island’s highest drumlin rises to an elevation of 78 feet on the northeastern half of the island, where the school complex is located. The remainder of the island is composed of low rolling hills dissected by a wetland and salt marsh. At low tide, a sandspit and mudflats on the south side of the island almost connect with Squantum.

Water Features
Further study required.

Views and Vistas
Views to Dorchester, Downtown Boston, South Boston, Quincy (Squantum), and Long, Moon, Spectacle, and Castle Islands.

Structures
Buildings

• The following is a rough list of buildings, and foundations—further verification is needed:
• • Gymnasium
  • Picnic and boat Shed
  • Maintenance Building
  • Corn Barn
  • Small shed
  • Foundation of Poultry barn
  • Composting Toilet near orchard
  • Staff residence (along campus access road)
  • Foundation of administration building designed by Charles Bulfinch
  • Gardner Hall
  • Willauer School Building
  • Office building
  • Dormitory (2)
  • Faculty house (2)
  • Dining hall
  • Foundation of compost shed
  • Foundation of weather station
  • Foundation of root cellar
  • Foundation of barn (barely evident)

Fortifications

• None

Other Structures

• Pier
• Stone walls
• Wood retaining wall
• Alpine towers and ropes courses
• Fencing for livestock (pigs)
• Interpretive signs throughout the island

Comments
Today, the island is owned by the Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center. It is home to the Willauer School and the site of an Outward Bound program that brings together more than 5,000 students and adults each year in an outdoor learning program. Special event and conference facilities are also available. Public tours are provided on summer weekends and at other times by arrangement.