Marshall Island, Maine

Marshall Island is an island and unorganized territory in Hancock County, Maine.[1][2] It lies where Penobscot Bay and Blue Hill Bay meet, between Swan's Island and Isle au Haut. Uninhabited, it is one of the largest undeveloped islands surrounding the contiguous United States.[3]

Marshall Island, Maine
Unorganized territory
Marshall Island, Maine
Location within the state of Maine
Coordinates: 44.114°N 68.507°W / 44.114; -68.507
CountryUnited States
StateMaine
CountyHancock
Area
 • Total5.5 sq mi (14.1 km2)
 • Land1.6 sq mi (4.1 km2)
 • Water3.9 sq mi (10.1 km2)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total0
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code(s)207
FIPS code23-43578
GNIS feature ID2378263

History

Development of the island was explored in the 1980s, with wells drilled for 14 potential properties, but these plans fell through due to a weak real estate market. The island was purchased in three parcels by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust in 2003 and 2004 for a total cost of $6.3 million.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the unorganized territory has a total area of 5.5 square miles (14.1 km²), of which 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) is land and 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²) is water (71%).[5]

Covering 985 acres, Marshall Island is the 11th largest island in Maine. It is almost entirely forested, apart from a pair of discontinued runways. While it has a primarily rocky coast, it also has more than ten beaches, the largest of which is located on the southeastern side of the island in Sand Cove.[3]

Activities

Maine Coast Heritage Trust has turned the island into Ed Woodsum Preserve, which is open to the public. The land trust has campsites available on the island, and maintains hiking trails that surround and cross the island. It also advertises the island as an ideal location for boating, birdwatching and swimming at its sandy beaches. The island is also open to hunting and fishing.[3]

References
  1. "Marshall Island". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  2. "Unorganized Territory of Marshall Island". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  3. "Marshall Island: Ed Woodsum Preserve". Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
  4. Porter, Aaron (2004-02-12). "Land Trust Completes Marshall Island Purchase". Ellsworth American.
  5. "U.S. Gazetteer Files 2019". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2020.


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