Despite former resident and owner Stephen White’s best efforts to save the house and protect the island, the waters would overcome both and erase them from the map.
So what happened to Holland Island, and why did one man try to save it?
Originally settled in the 1600’s, Holland Island was named for the first owner of the property, colonist Daniel Holland. For nearly two hundred years life would be largely uneventful for the small island, with little more than a small colony settlement occupying her shores.
In the 1850s a small fishing and farming boom in the Chesapeake area brought many to the island. By 1890 there would be a large watermen community, and by 1910 the island would house nearly 360 residents, making Holland the most populated island in Chesapeake Bay.
At its peak, Holland Island was a thriving community. It had nearly 70 structures including homes and shops, a school, post office, several general stores, and a church. The island also had its own doctor, a community center, and even a baseball team that would travel by boat for away games.
Nearly 90 vessels would call Holland Island home, chasing their fortunes in catching fish, trapping crab, and dredging for oysters.
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Great article
ReplyDeleteIt's been about 30 years since I've visited the island. Also all of the surrounding islands are going back to the bay. They were a great place to fish from shore in the spring for all species.
ReplyDeleteYou can't fool with mother nature!
Interesting story.
ReplyDeleteThat house washed away 2 years ago succumbing to the erosion and sea level rise that has been occurring for thousands of years. There are graves exposed now on whats left of the island.
ReplyDeleteTouching piece.
ReplyDeleteIt's been like 5 or 6 years ago I heard that a skull was found on Assateague. It was determined to probably have come from one of the graves on Holland Island.
ReplyDeleteVery cool article!
ReplyDeletethanks for posting!
And no one knew that the house in the photo on Hollands Island had a basement? It remained completely dry until the house washed away.I was in that basement many times playing pool and drinking at the bar.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed many weekends on the island hunting, fishing & just have a good time when it was owned by the Bounds family. I still have arrowheads and Indian items I found there.
ReplyDeleteTo bad they couldn't invest the money to bulkhead those Islands.
ReplyDelete