Gallops Island Facts

Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)

Harbor Islands Reservation

Park purposes.

Gallups Island

Quincy Bay

6.5 miles

The island has both mown paths and broken concrete paths paved in the 1940s. In total the paths cover approximately 3,175 feet.

Visitors should use caution around house foundations to prevent falls. Some areas are restricted by fencing due to asbestos.

50
22.62  upland acres
27.78  intertidal acres

79 ft.

The island was used by Native Americans. Located in the center of the harbor, the island served as home to one of the region's first harbor pilots (including John Gallop), as a restaurant and inn, a military camp, quarantine station, and radio school. During the Civil War this small island is attributed with housing 3,000 Union soldiers. During World War II a radio school housed 325 people and a school for bakers and cooks accommodated 150 people.

This island contains a notable collection of ornamental trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants that harken back to its use as a quarantine station and radio school. Dr. Sweeny is attributed with installing 2,500 plants in 1927 with additional trees installed by the CCC in the 1930s. No doubt many plants were removed to accomodate the radio school buildings, but others may have been added. Historical photographs from the 1940s show the tree lined "Main Street" that extended the length of the island. Though the structures are gone, the pathways and foundations are still lined with privet hedges and punctuated with fruit, shade and coniferous trees, stands of lilacs, mock orange, snowberry, and forsythia. These cultivated plants compete with encroaching self-sown sumac, poplar, poison ivy, and bayberry. Most ornamental shrubs bloom in the spring when the island is difficult to access. Fruit trees, including apple and peach, have been severely damaged in the past few years by an overpopulation of rabbits.

Overview survey in progress.

The island is composed of one large drumlin, rising to 79 feet on its north side and overlooking "The Narrows", a main shipping channel into Boston. The eastern end of the drumlin was removed during the early 1800s. A granite block seawall bounds the north and west sides of the island while the south and east sides offer a fine gravel beach.

Further study required.

From the top of the drumlin, the island offers excellent views of downtown Boston, Deer, Long, Nixes Mate, Lovells, and the Brewsters. From the south side of the island, Rainsford, Peddocks, and Long Islands are visible in the distance.

Pier gazebo; circa 1860s granite block foundation; concrete pilings from radio school mess hall; officer's mess hall foundation; barracks foundations; doctor's house foundation; pharmacy foundation; incinerator ruins; Clivus Multrum composting toilet.

None extent.

Pier; navigational beacon at Peggy's Point; US boundary marker; stone retaining wall bounding parade ground and steps to summit; quarantine hospital cemetery; granite block seawall (broken in sections) and jetty near pier; benches; picnic tables; interpretive signs.