When family came for a visit recently, we went out to another one of the more accessible Boston Islands- George's Island. We took the ferry from Long Wharf downtown and headed out past Spectacle Island (the first island we visited) to the island that is home to Fort Warren.
The exceptionally built fort was completed in 1847 which was too late for it to do much to defend the harbor but it did house many prisoners of the civil war. it was actually a pretty swanky place to be holed up for awhile- the prisoners enjoyed picnics and had guests out to dine on the fine foods that were brought there from the mainland.
There is a ghost who lingers on George's Island from the days of the civil war- the Lady in Black, the ghost of a Confederate prisoner's wife who was sentenced to death for aiding in an escape and hanged in a black robe made from the fort's mess hall drapes.
On the way there we passed Nixes Mate- the black and white pyramid is a beacon. (more to come on that "island" when we actually go to it- one day)
the "eggs" of the sewage (waste water) treatment plant on Deer Island.
the intensive green roof of fort warren
walking up high on the fort walls
where the canons were placed
the fort continues to host "picnics" and entertainment. my grandmother, nana, is in the audience, watching the Folk Arts Quartet (FAQ) perform chambergrass- a blend of chamber music and bluegrass.
the parade ground and picnicers (and kite fliers)
looking out onto the elbow of Hull (attached to the mainland).
Lovell's island on the other side of the Narrows (the channel).
the granite "Powder Magazine" and some large specimen trees.
waiting for the ferry
a bright hot day for the ferry ride- but plenty of things to see
the marina in east boston where we lived long ago!
downtown beantown
