Rainsford Island (click to enlarge)
There are twenty-one acres of land above high tide on Rainsford Island in Boston Harbor, and the highest elevation is 49 feet. The east coast is ringed with an old retaining wall, making it impossible to land a boat or hand-paddled watercraft on this side. However, most of the shore is gravel beach, so there are plenty of places to land.
Rainsford was used for a variety of purposes from 1737 through 1925: quarantine hospital, veterans hospital, almshouse, a boy’s reform school, and even a resort. Nothing exists today other than some foundations, but if you like old ruins, this would be a good island to explore. Most of the ruins are on the west side.
Rainsford Island is not serviced by the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area public ferry.
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Last updated on January 17, 2024
