When walking from Lockhouse 8 to Minnie’s Island, it is not unusual to get into conversations about Minnie’s when folks ask “Is that the one with the cabin?” (Yes–it is one of three local islands with cabins), or “Is that the one with the rope and ferry?” (No–that’s Sycamore Island). This article will briefly discuss the major islands in the Potomac from the American Legion Bridge down to Glen Echo Heights, including Plummers, Swainsons, Minnie’s, Cedar, Cabin John, and Sycamore Islands (listed from upstream to downstream). There is a rich history associated with each of these local islands.
Plummers Island is located just downstream of the American Legion Bridge. You can walk to Plummer’s Island by following a trail that starts behind Lockhouse 11, but you can only cross the rocky channel to access the island when water levels are low. The twelve-acre island is called “the most thoroughly studied island in North America” by the Washington Biologist’s Field Club, which owned the island from 1908 until it was transferred to the National Park Service. The island has the most biological diversity of all the local islands due to multiple habitats. The club maintains a small, locked cabin on the top of the island. A wealth of information about the club and Plummer’s Island can be found at https://wbfc.science. The website highlights the threat to Plummers Island posed by the potential expansion of the American Legion Bridge.
Swainson Island is a narrow island located just downstream of Lock 10 that can be accessed by walking when the water is low. Judith Welles’ book, Cabin John: Legends of an Uncommon Place tells the story of Bill Swainson, a squatter on the island for over 30 years. He is described as “a very strong and fearless man and people didn’t cross him. In fact, he threatened to shoot people who wandered down his road.” Piers from a bridge to the island remain today.
Minnie’s Island is located one hundred yards downriver from Lock 8. The eight-acre property, including one large island and several smaller islands, is owned by Minnie’s Island Community Conservancy and is open to the public during daylight hours. Minnie’s can be accessed by a watercraft, typically canoes or standup paddle boards. Minnie’s has a cabin that is visible from the C&O Canal. Minnie’s has served as a residence, nature retreat, or conservation property since 1904. For more information on Minnie’s, visit our website at www.minniesisland.org. We also regularly post information on our Minnie’s Island Community Conservancy Facebook page.
Cedar Island is located just upstream of the mouth of Cabin John Creek and can be accessed on foot when the river is low. I always assumed that this area was owned by the National Park Service as part of the C&O Canal National Historic Park, but it is in fact owned by Montgomery Parks. This twelve-acre area is “dedicated to environmental preservation and remains undeveloped.” Careful searchers may be able to find remnants of structures that connected the Cabin John Bridge Hotel to the river on the island.
Cabin John Island is located just upstream of Lockhouse 7 and can be accessed via a foot trail from the C&O Canal that starts just above where Minnehaha Branch (the creek that flows through Glen Echo Park) enters the Potomac. The island is owned by the National Park Service. This is the largest of our local islands and has an extensive “social trail” system that can offer solitude for hikers. Explorers can find the remains of stone chimneys from cabins that were on the island. Cabin John Island is home to an extensive display of spring wildflowers that are easily viewed from the trails. Weed Warriors, trained by the National Park Service, control the non-native plants on the island. Several acres on the island were severely damaged by the windstorm that struck our area in the summer of 2023.
Sycamore Island is located between Locks 6 and 7 and is accessed via a ferry attached to a wire rope system. The ferry landing can be accessed from MacArthur Boulevard from a trail opposite the Sycamore Store. Sycamore Island has been owned by the Sycamore Island Club since 1889. Island access is limited to club members and their guests. The club and the island have a rich history that is well documented by many articles on the club’s website at www.sycamoreisland.org. The island has a cabin that includes facilities for a full-time caretaker, picnic areas, a swimming platform, and canoe storage. Membership in the club is in high demand and is determined by a lottery held every two years.
As we approach spring, it’s a great time to do some exploring on these local islands!
By Joe Saliunas, Maryland Master Naturalist, Vice-Chair Minnie’s Island Community Conservancy
Contributing Writer