A unique look at Thompson Island through facts and photographs; one of the thirty-four islands that lay in the Boston Harbor.
Fact One: Thompson Island is located four miles from the city of Boston and it is owned and operated by the non-profit educational organization Thompson Island Outward Bound.
Fact Two: The Island was believed to be inhabited by Native Americans before David Thompson established a trading post in 1626.
Fact Three: To this day, Thompson Island continues to educate the youth of Greater Boston. In history, the first school established on the Island in 1833, was called Boston Farm School. It later changed names to the Boston Farm and Trade School in 1907, only to change names once again, to Thompson Academy.
Fact Four: The Boston Farm and Trade School was the first in the country to establish a school band in 1839.
Fact Five: Today, the Island is primarily utilized for education, conference, event and recreation purposes.
Fact Six: There is a beautiful 40 acre salt marsh and smaller marsh on the Island. Both marshes have great viewing areas to take photos; the smaller of the two even has a pathway leading into it.
Fact Seven: Thompson Island has a vast terrain with mixed vegetation, there are forests with oak and birch trees, meadows with berry bushes, plowed fields, salt-marshes and seashell filled beaches.
Fact Eight: There quite a few obstacle and high rope courses on the Island where students participating in the Outward Bound Program can challenge themselves. Of course, they are off-limits to the public.
Fact Nine: There are many well-marked trails on the Island that will lead you to salt marshes, open fields, picnic areas, ranger rendezvous cabins, cliffs, beaches and great views.
Fact Ten: Thompson Island consists of 204 acres of land.
Fact Eleven: Few ruins remain on the Island. The one pictured above is a root cellar, or what is left of the foundation.
Fact Twelve: Thompson Island is only accessible to the public on weekends. Helpful tip: There is no concession stands so bring your own snacks/refreshments and water.
Fact Thirteen: The south-side beach peninsula of Thompson Island almost connects with Squantum Point Park, located in Quincy, Massachusetts.
Credits:
Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center
National Park Service – Boston Harbor Islands – Thompson Island
Healey Library at the University of Massachusetts Boston – Thompson’s Island: Home Page
Discovery Brochure – Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center
The Little Blog of Magic 
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Never heard of this place before. Great pics and facts. Thanks 🙂
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You should check it out – it’s a pretty sweet place close to the city but far enough away that you don’t get the city noises.
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Beautiful! I never knew this existed in the area.
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Went to the Perry School in South Boston in the early 60’s with two youngsters that lived on Thompsons Island. James Thomas and Herbert Pearl. Their parents also lived on the Island as Headmaster and administrators of the school located on the island. James and Herbert would ride the old wooden tug {Pi[grim III} used as a ferry from the island to Kelly’s landing about three blocks to the Perry school they attended. Through all kinds of weather, warmer months to a winters gale, I can’t say that I remember them ever missing any days at school. One day I seen the “Pilgrim” docked and jumped on for the ride to the Island for a surprise visit. The Captain said I needed permission from my Mother. He said go home and bring back a note from Mom and he would wait for me to return. I thought for sure he was just being kind and thought I would not return. I really did not expect the boat to be there when I returned. I ran all the way home and begged for permission to go. Note in hand I ran all the way back and there was the grey and white Pilgrim sitting at the dock looking like a giant seagull. We made the trip, James and Herbert showed me everything on the island. The GYM was like an airplane hanger to me. I never seen anything like that. They took me to the barn loaded with hay, we went up into the loft and jumped down into the hay what felt like 100 times. I had never seen a barn in real life. All within the city limits. What a day. Thompson Island was all I could dream of for many nights. And 65+ years later. Grand ole times.
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WOW that is amazing thanks for sharing. Ironically, the boat for Thompson Island is a little hard to catch, yet it was the easiest boat to get on. Perhaps it was the day or the time I went. But for most of the Boston Harbor Island boats, I have had to wait at the booth and/or get tickets in advance. And then typically, you would wait in line for the actual boat to arrive. I remember, for the trip to Thompsons Island, I was able to park and walk right over to the boat that was already waiting there (perhaps just good timing) but then the captain never asked anyone to pay any sort of travel fee. Which no one brought up anyways — but it ended up being a free trip there and back. Of course things have most likely changed since then. But perhaps, like your story, it was just the magic of Thompson Island.
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