Valcour Island
Encyclopedia
Valcour Island is an island
in Lake Champlain
in Clinton County, New York
, USA. The island is mostly in the Town of Peru
and partly in the Town of Plattsburgh
, southeast of the City of Plattsburgh
.
Valcour Island, about two miles (3 km) long and a mile (2 km) broad, lies by the western shore of Lake Champlain, forming a narrow strait
against the New York
mainland. Its shores are alternately rocky, craggy outcroppings and sandy beaches. Several protected bays provide anchorages. The Bluff Point Light
stands on the western shore. It guided boats through the narrow strait from 1871 until 1930 when it was replaced by a steel tower.
It is the fourth largest island in Lake Champlain. The only larger Islands are Grand Isle, North Hero Island and Isle la Motte
of Vermont
.
On October 11, 1776, a naval
engagement known as the Battle of Valcour Island
was fought in that strait between British
and United States
naval forces under Benedict Arnold
.
The island is now within the Adirondack Park.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
in Clinton County, New York
Clinton County, New York
Clinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 82,128. Its name is in honor of the first Governor of New York as a state, George Clinton. Its county seat is Plattsburgh.-History:...
, USA. The island is mostly in the Town of Peru
Peru, New York
Peru is a town in Clinton County in the U.S. state of New York. The population was 6,998 at the 2010 census. The town was named Peru because its mountainous nature suggested that country....
and partly in the Town of Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh (town), New York
Plattsburgh is a town in Clinton County, New York, United States. The population was 11,870 at the 2010 census. The town is named after Zephaniah Platt, an early land owner.The Town of Plattsburgh borders the City of Plattsburgh...
, southeast of the City of Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh (city), New York
Plattsburgh is a city in and county seat of Clinton County, New York, United States. The population was 19,989 at the 2010 census. The population of the unincorporated areas within the Town of Plattsburgh was 11,870 as of the 2010 census; making the population for the immediate, urban Plattsburgh,...
.
Valcour Island, about two miles (3 km) long and a mile (2 km) broad, lies by the western shore of Lake Champlain, forming a narrow strait
Strait
A strait or straits is a narrow, typically navigable channel of water that connects two larger, navigable bodies of water. It most commonly refers to a channel of water that lies between two land masses, but it may also refer to a navigable channel through a body of water that is otherwise not...
against the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
mainland. Its shores are alternately rocky, craggy outcroppings and sandy beaches. Several protected bays provide anchorages. The Bluff Point Light
Bluff Point Light
Bluff Point Light, also known as the Valcour Island Light, on Valcour Island in Lake Champlain was in service from its construction in 1874 until 1930 and was one of the last lighthouses on Lake Champlain to be named. It is now part of Adirondack State Park and operated as a museum by the Clinton...
stands on the western shore. It guided boats through the narrow strait from 1871 until 1930 when it was replaced by a steel tower.
It is the fourth largest island in Lake Champlain. The only larger Islands are Grand Isle, North Hero Island and Isle la Motte
Isle La Motte, Vermont
-Notable events:Around 480 Million Years ago when the Chazy Formation was flourishing, Strematoporoid colonies were among the most common builders of the reef.In 1609, Samuel de Champlain debarked on Isle La Motte July 9....
of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
.
On October 11, 1776, a naval
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
engagement known as the Battle of Valcour Island
Battle of Valcour Island
The naval Battle of Valcour Island, also known as the Battle of Valcour Bay, took place on October 11, 1776, on Lake Champlain. The main action took place in Valcour Bay, a narrow strait between the New York mainland and Valcour Island...
was fought in that strait between British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
naval forces under Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
.
The island is now within the Adirondack Park.