Haddam Island State Park is an undeveloped 14acre island in the lower Connecticut River in the town of Haddam, Connecticut, in the United States. Originally used by the Wangunk tribe, the island was reserved for their use as part of a 150sqmi land sale to English colonists in May 1662. In the 19th century, the island was used for fishing and farming. The early 20th century saw it as a place of public recreation, and the State of Connecticut purchased the island and made it a state park in 1944. The park is only accessible by boat, and recommended activities are boating, fishing, and birdwatching.HistoryThe English settlers in the Connecticut Colony originally named the island Thirty Mile Island because it was erroneously believed to be 30mi north of the Connecticut River's mouth. The original English settlement in the area was called Thirty Mile Island Plantation. In May 1662, an area of 150sqmi of land, including the island, was sold by the Wangunk tribe to the English settlers for 30 coats. However, the natives reserved the right to use the island as part of the sale stipulations. Though little documentation exists today, the Wangunk tribe lived on the island and in the surrounding area before selling it along with the rest of their land. Recorded deeds show that the Wangunk tribe made another land sale in 1672, and the remaining parcels of Wangunk land were sold between 1765 and 1769.
