great captain island known great captain island island coast connecticut acre island largest island group includes island remnant glacial large glacial erratic southern island east west sides connected island owners owned town island home great captain island light 19th century lighthouse restored non navigational aid actual navigation aid skeletal tower erected great captain island state important bird areas according town operates ferry service island second week june second week september trails laid visitors western island picnic tables posted swimming areas island open year round ferry running summer public tours lighthouse island available location geology acre island largest island group includes town states great captain island remnant glacial contains diversity rock granite large glacial erratic southern island east west sides connected southern winds way lighthouse history theories island got island named captain rumored buried treasure gold silver town acknowledges theory states captain title reportedly captain partner recorded real estate transaction town military commander granted island federal government purchased acres land southeast states new_york connecticut claimed island 19th century years commission resolved dispute favor connecticut lighthouse keepers families farmed tract land areas island hunting fishing recreational use rest island sold developer built opened exclusive site opening beginning great depression soon closed town acquired island sold property time inadvertently destroyed dropping searching missing plane fire destroy rest club purchased island employee recreational spot built cottages ownership named town purchased federal government turned remaining tract land lighthouse rests lighthouse great captain island light constructed acre tract land sold government lighthouse poor construction replaced new granite dwelling attached lighthouse design old field point light new_york rhode_island lighthouse skeletal tower replaced town acquired property time site lighthouse dilapidated successful restoration effort completed non navigational light activated great captain island light added national_register_of_historic_places september memorial plaque installed honor people lived connection town died september attacks non navigational second flashing green light installed lighthouse february lighthouse currently occupied family act property wildlife state important bird areas provide essential habitat bird species according great blue island 1990s great snowy black crowned night live island island known state largest early 2000s populations dramatically summer counts total director bird conservation connecticut thinks bird populations hurt human disturbances possibly competition great owl lives island fed birds said overall pollution waters effect bird populations island year island area lawn replaced oak ash cherry tree heaven lighthouse openings provide variety habitats wildlife barrier shrubs planted cliffs east lighthouse access town operates ferry service island second week june second week september trails laid visitors western island picnic tables posted swimming areas island open year round ferry running summer public tours lighthouse island available hurricane sandy damaged area washed away walkway
Great Captain Island