![]() | |
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Bay of Fundy |
Coordinates | 45°00′56″N66°55′41″W / 45.01556°N 66.92806°W |
Area | 45 to 50 acres (18 to 20 ha) [1] [2] |
Highest elevation | 9 m (30 ft) [3] |
Administration | |
Canada | |
Province | New Brunswick |
County | Charlotte |
Parish | West Isles Parish |
Hardwood Island (also titled Howard Island, [4] possibly phonetic error) is an undeveloped island in the West Isles Parish of Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada, where the Bay of Fundy enters Passamaquoddy Bay. It is a bedrock-cored forested knoll, [5] with a large beach that is moderately used for camping due to its nearness to the mainland. [1]
The recovery of arrowheads suggest it may have been inhabited or visited by Passamaquoddy natives. [5]
A 1796 deed shows Thomas Pendleton purchased "Hardwood Island" from Thomas Doyle for £150, which is presumed to reference Pendleton's Island rather than this currently-named Hardwood Island. [6]
As Warren Hatheway was unsuccessful in his bid to be granted Bar Island off the northern shore of Deer Island against the wishes of Thomas Farrell, between 1810-1817 he was awarded a grant of six small nearby islets including Hardwood, Simpson Island and Fish Island. [7] [8] [9]
It was recommended for ecological preservation in 1975 due to a dense avian population including nesting Great Blue Herons, ospreys, eider ducks and herring gulls. [10]
Today it is privately owned with a residence and barn. [11]
It has copper pyrites in chloride slate. [12] [13] In 1869 it was subject to exploratory work for mining but it never materialized. [2]
There is a geodetic triangulation station on the highest point. [14]
In December 1985, a study by Parks Canada assessed the island's value as $42,700. [2]
It was one of four islands studied in 1997 for the impact of sea kayaking on the Bay of Fundy environment. [1]