Raccoon Island
Circa 1940s
Recent History of Raccon
Owned as a seminarian religious camp in early 1900s.
Owned privately by Rev. Gerald O'Leary in late 1900s.
Went on sale after his death for 5000$ but was never sold.
Claimed as eminent domain by the State under DCR until now.
More detailed information on History tab.
2022 docks before removal
Modern Use
Raccoon has not been officially used for decades after Rev. O'Leary's passing. DCR did not denote resources to the small isle, and it was reclaimed by nature. The wooded center serves as a makeshift hobo camp and elusive teenage hangout spot while the beaches make a nice loop to stroll on when the tides are right.
The island's shores were used to beach docks in the winter. When the sea freezes over, any docks on the water will be ripped from their bearings and lost, so many residents of Hough's Neck would place their pontoons on the island for safekeeping during the cold winter months, reclaiming them when the sea defrosts. Unfortunately for 8 dock owners, a large storm blew many beached docks higher than the waterline, leaving the multi-ton behemoths of wood out of reach permanantly.
Images from the 2022 project
Revitalization Projects
Two notable attemps were made by the Hough's Neck Community to clean up the debris covering the island. Sometime in the early 2000s, a group of neighbors from the Hough's Neck Community Council went out and traced a new path on the island for a pleasant walk through its greenery. Unfortunately, this trail no longer exists, and it is dangerous to venture into the Poison Ivy-infested undergrowths.
The second project, lead by local Troop 6 scout Enzo Vallee in 2022, served as the youth's Eagle Project. His goal was to get rid of those old beached docks and make the island safer to visit by removing the rusty metal and molding wood. He additionally compiled information on Raccoon to create this website along with the sign you got it from. The project saw multiple tons of wood and metal properly disposed of piece by piece.
Learn More
Want to know more about the Boston Harbor Islands? Go check out their main site below.
Have a Middle or High school child with Monday afternoons free from 7-8:30? Come check out our site below! We look forward to meeting them!
