Pelican Passage

At 184 acres, Peddocks is one of the largest, most diverse islands in the harbor. With the longest shoreline of any harbor island, Peddocks is composed of four headlands, connected by sand or gravel bars called tombolos. Total acreage at low tide is 288.

Used by farmers since 1634, Peddocks Island's proximity to the mainland ensured a prominent military role. Said to be the site of a patriot infantrymen's raid on a Loyalist farm, Peddocks also saw over 600 patriot militiamen stationed on the island in 1776, to guard the harbor against the return of British troops. It is one of the many harbor islands known to be used by American Indians prior to European settlement.

Home to Fort Andrews and active in harbor defense from 1904 to the end of World War II, 26 structures remain, including guardhouses, prisoner-of-war barracks, stables, a gymnasium and a firehouse.

I had a house on Peddocks' Middle Head from 1986 through 1996 and lived there for a while. Winters were beautiful and quiet, but cold. There was no electricity or running water, so a generator supplied limited electricity, a well was used for water, kerosene was in the lamps and a heater and propane ran the fridge and stove. I had a great view of Boston Harbor and Boston. Life was quiet. There were only 47 house on the island and 98% of them were seasonal. The diehards from Hough's Neck in Quincy braved the bad weather and visited often. The only other full-time resident was Mike McDevitt, the island's caretaker.