Calf Island (click to enlarge)
Calf Island, part of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, is located in outer Boston Harbor. It was the location of a summer mansion built in 1902 by Benjamin Cheney and his wife, silent film and stage actress Julia Arthur. The military took over the island from World War I through World War II, forcing the Cheneys out of their home. Cheney died in 1942 and his wife in 1950, so the mansion was left abandoned. It stood until burning down in 1971. The foundation can still be seen today, and there are some surviving fruit trees that the Cheneys planted.
Calf Island is not serviced by the public ferry, so you will need your own boat to visit. Rocky cliffs cover most of its shore, but there are some gravel beach areas at the north end on which small boats and dinghies can land.
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Last updated on January 7, 2024
