Page:20th annual meet- League of American Wheelmen, Aug. 14th to 19th '99, Boston, Massachusetts.djvu/33

 Public Library. Copley square. Founded in 1852, it is the largest library in America, and contains over six hundred thousand volumes and half as many pamphlets. It was erected in 1888 and completed in 1895, at a cost of almost three million dollars. The library was first established by a donation of one hundred thousand dollars, given by Joshua Bates, a native of Boston but long a resident of London,



In passing down the harbor the navy yard at Charlestown and the large English steamboats at East Boston docks are on the left. Mystic and Charles Rivers empty their waters into the harbor here. Fort Strong was built on Noddle’s Island (East Boston), 1770. On the right South Boston with the large new docks, elevators and mammoth storehouses, with the Blind Asylum on the heights in the background. At the extreme point of the peninsula is Castle Island with the gray granite walls of Fort Independence. The castle on this island was commenced in 1634, the commander killed by lightning July 16, 1664; repaired and enlarged, 1696; rebuilt and named Fort William, 1705; the block-house blown up by British, March 27, 1776; criminals confined there, February 1786; ceded to United States August 18, 1798; named Fort Independence, July 31, 1799. On the left side of the channel is Governor's Island, granted to Governor Winthrop in 1632, and held by the family till 1798, when it was sold to the United States. Fort Winthrop was begun in 1808, and water batteries now run down to the shore.

Apple Island is between Governor's Island and Winthrop, and was bought by the city of Boston in 1867.

Thompson's Island on the right, beyond Castle Island, is the farm school founded in 1814 and removed to the island in 1835. In 1626 it was an Indian trading post, and was afterwards used by the colonists as a pasturage for cattle.

Spectacle Island is now occupied by a factory for making fertilizers, etc.

Deer Island is on the left of the channel with city institutions, House of Industry, House of Reformation for Girls, Truant School, etc. Here were captives several hundred Indian prisionersprisoners [sic] in 1676. A light is on the headland.

Long Island, occupied by Massachusetts Volunteers previous to their departure to the front, 1861-62, is now used as a home for the city's poor. On the bluff is the well-known Long Island Light, and the United States government is erecting a strong battery of modern guns for the defense of Broad Sound. A heavy sea wall was built here several years ago.

Gallop's Island, just below Long Island. Here are located the hospital buildings of the quarantine station.

Lovell's Island is the wharf and storage for the United States lighthouse service.

Nix's Mate beyond was Bird Island and contained twelve acres in 1636. Pirates were gibbetted here in 1724, and also a burial place for pirates in 1798. The selectmen of Boston attempted to protect the land from the inroads of the sea in 1818, but the land disappeared at low water in 1825. A stone monument is now built upon the rocks, with a light.

Rainsford Island is occupied by the city almshouse and has a number of large buildings.

Fort Warren, built on George's Island, (sold to U. S. 1846); fort commenced, 1833; works completed, 1850; garrisoned by Massachusetts militia, 1861-65; rebel prisoners confined 1862; walls greatly strengthened and enlarged and heavy breech-loading guns, with disappearing carriages, mounted in 1898.

The Great Brewster was bought by the city of Boston in 1848, for $4,000. Boston Light, built in 1783; Bug Light, built 1856. Middle Brewster, Outer Brewster and Shag or Egg Rocks are the islands on the ocean front.

Minot's Ledge sold to the United States 1847; lighthouse destroyed by storm April 16, 1851; new lighthouse completed November 16, 1860.

 

Winthrop. A peninsula in formation with about eight miles of beach. It is the summer home of many of Boston's 