Amenities

Fishing, swimming, paddle craft access, no restrooms. 

History

When the General Land Office surveyed this island in August 1903, they found William and Mary Strong living there with their family. They had a substantial house on the west end of the island along with other farm buildings. The family had cleared about 10 acres of land, fenced the fields, and planted fruit trees. Two years after this discovery, William proved up on his homestead claim and received a deed for 30.6 acres on the island.

The substantial improvements noted by the surveyors suggest that the Strongs had lived there for a number of years. The family is listed in the 1900 Federal Census as living in the Spirit Valley Precinct, which likely included their land. William, age 66, and Mary, age 53, had one son and three daughters living with them, ranging in age from 12 to 24. The oldest, Archie, worked for the railroad, while William was listed as a farmer.