HOWLAND ISLAND

Topography and Habitat :: History

Visitors should be aware of the remarkable history of the Island. Robert Mead wrote an excellent summary of the Island’s history (Howland’s Island History, March 2003) – this book is available at the Lodge (FOTMWC gift shop in the MNWR Visitor Center). These records suggest the existence of a French fortification alleged to have provided security for Jesuit Missionaries during the 17th century. It is also written that in the 1890s, an infamous gang of horse thieves used the Island as a hideout. During the 1820s to early 1900s, as many as 17 family farms, a one-room schoolhouse, and all the services needed by farmers, including blacksmith shops and sawmills, were found on the Island. But, by the 1920s, the farming era was drawing to a close and the Island was known to be virtually abandoned by man. Wild game was once again the key inhabitant.

Click on the photo below for a west view of Howland Island.

Howland

On February 29th, 1932, the Island was sold to the State for $35,000 by Edward and Adele Garono. Soon after, the Island became an excellent destination for hunting and trapping. In 1933, a Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) camp, with over 200 men, was established. The hard work of the CCC campers laid the groundwork for what the area was to become. In addition to building dikes and water control structures, pheasant brooding facilities were built by these hard working crews. Over 250,000 pheasants were hatched and released during the operation of the pheasant farm. Years later, an experimental duck breeding program took over when the pheasant farm was closed due to the poor survival of released birds. Waterfowl breeding contributed thousands of eggs and hundreds of adults, but this program was also found ineffective in establishing wild populations. Since the 1960s, DEC has emphasized the management of habitats on Howland’s Island for wildlife. Grasslands are planted and mowed, the water levels in the impoundments are raised and lowered to grow aquatic plants favored by water birds, and woodlots are improved by periodic thinning. Efforts are currently underway to build a bridge and fishing access site off Old Galen Road on the west side of the Island.