There are 20 islands in and around Long Island Sound that are within the borders of the Bronx. The islands were once known as the Devil's Stepping Stones; according to fable, Indians were chasing the Devil across the sound, and every time he put his cloven hoof down, an island was formed. Most of the islands are little more than unpopulated, rocky outcroppings, but others have rich histories. City Island

NAME ORIGIN Planned as a port city, the name New City Island was adopted in the 1760's. The name was shortened to City Island in the 19th century. POPULATION 4,081 HISTORY Claimed in 1614 by Adrian Block, who discovered the east Bronx coastline and explored Long Island Sound for the Netherlands. It was acquired in 1895 when the city annexed all land east of the Bronx River. Rikers Island NAME ORIGIN Abram Rycher, who farmed the island starting in 1664. Family later Anglicized name to Riker. POPULATION 15,992 inmates HISTORY Riker family sold the island to the city around 1850. During the Civil War it was used as a training ground. In 1936, a seven-story prison hospital was built, and, since then, 50 buildings have been added to house the prison population. Hart Island NAME ORIGIN Believed to refer to its population of deer (hart is an archaic word for deer). HISTORY During the Civil War, the island was used by the Federal Government to house troops and was a prison for Confederate soldiers. Potters' Field was established around 1865 when some soldiers, victims of an epidemic, were interred there. The city acquired the island in 1869; since then, there have been over half a million burials. Around 1872, the island was used for the detention of "vicious boys," and over the years also housed minor criminals, vagrants and drug addicts. North Brother Island NAME ORIGIN Charted by Adrian Block as "de Gesellen," a Dutch term meaning Brethren, in 1614, name was Anglicized to "The Brothers" when the English occupied New York. HISTORY Over the centuries it has served as the site of a typhoid hospital (Mary Mallon, also known as Typhoid Mary, was hospitalized there in the late 19th century), army barracks and a prison. The island drew worldwide attention on June 15, 1904, when a steamer, General Slocum, on an excursion with church parishioners, beached on its shore and burned, killing more than 1,000. South Brother Island NAME ORIGIN See above. HISTORY Colonel Jacob Ruppert, a brewer and one-time owner of the New York Yankees, bought it in 1894 and erected a summer house, which he occupied until 1907. The mansion burned down in 1909. High Island NAME ORIGIN Possibly derived from Haai Eylandt, the Dutch for Shark Island. The island shallow faces Pelham Bay, once a favorite basking spot for sharks that prefer warm water. HISTORY Various private owners throughout its history. In 1962, the island was sold to a radio broadcasting company. Hog Island NAME ORIGIN Unknown. HISTORY It became Parks Department property in 1888, but it was so isolated that a beachcombers' colony flourished there into the 20th century. Mrs. Marion Laing remained as a squatter until her death. A tablet to her memory is on the island: "Marion H. Laing, died September 12, 1930. This Island was her paradise." Middle Reef NAME ORIGIN It is in the middle between the nearest Bronx and Westchester County islands. HISTORY None. The island is little more than a mussel-covered reef. East Nonations South Nonations NAME ORIGIN Believed to derive from an old story that neither Holland nor England was willing to fight over such worthless bits of land, hence they belonged to no nation. HISTORY See name origin. The Blauzes NAME ORIGIN Uncertain. One theory is that it derives from "Blazer," an Old English word for a marker or guide. Another is that Dutch mariners saw the blue color of the islets and dubbed them "de Blauwtjes" -- the little blue ones. HISTORY The four mussel-covered reefs have been the site of many shipwrecks over the centuries. Chimney Sweep Islands NAME ORIGIN Uncertain, but stories abound. One is that the islets, seen on a marine map, resemble the stones used to scour chimneys. Another refers to their gray appearance, which makes them "drab as chimney sweeps." HISTORY Acquired by the city in 1939, after years of private ownership. They have been the site of marine wrecks since Revolutionary times. Rat Island NAME ORIGIN Unknown HISTORY Privately owned through the early 20th century. Now city property. Green Flats NAME ORIGIN Uncertain. "Flats" is a nautical term for shallows. HISTORY This low lying cluster of rocks appears only at low tides. The Twins NAME ORIGIN Also known as East Twin Island and West Twin Island. In 1713, John Pell described part of his land grant as including "one small Island known by the name of Twins." HISTORY Acquired by the Parks Department in 1888 after more than a century of private ownership. The islands were joined to the mainland in 1937 by the extension of Orchard Beach. Big Tom NAME ORIGIN Thought to refer to Thomas Pell, first proprietor of the Manor of Pelham (1654). HISTORY Seldom visible, it nevertheless is referred to in old-time journals. Cuban Ledge NAME ORIGIN Four versions: a cargo ship, the Cuban Lady, ran aground there; the crew of a stone barge carrying rocks dumped the cargo overboard in 1898 to enlist in the Spanish-American war after hearing about the sinking of the Maine in Havana, and the rocks formed Cuban Ledge; a reference to that war; its resemblance to the island of Cuba. HISTORY Appears only at low tides. Goose Island NAME ORIGIN Evidently named by colonists who noted the flocks of geese there. HISTORY Canoeists and fishermen on the Hutchinson River have used this islet since the 17th century. The city acquired it in 1935. Hunter Island NAME ORIGIN John Hunter, a merchant, politician and art collector purchased it for $40,000 during the Revolutionary period. HISTORY John Hunter's mansion, renowned for its art gallery and wine cellar, survived until the 1930's, when the island was attached by landfill to the mainland. Cat Briars Island NAME ORIGIN Uncertain; could refer to the vegetation on the island. HISTORY Unknown Sources: "History in Asphalt: The Origin of Bronx Street and Place Names," by John McNamara (1991, Bronx County Historical Society); Prof. Lloyd Ultan, Bronx County Historical Society; New York City Parks Department.

Photo: North Brother Island, once home to Typhoid Mary and site of an infamous shipwreck. (The New York Times, 1974)