Today’s episode of the Grand Island story features four more images from the mural at the Island Ship Center!
Beaver Island State Park is located at the southern end of Grand Island. It features several nature trails, a golf course, pavilions available for rental, two marinas, a nature center, a beach (with a boardwalk) and marshes. It’s where Paddles Up!, an annual noncompetitive paddling event, is held every July. It’s a good place to watch birds, including herons and ducks. Among the ducks that can be seen are the common mergansers, buffleheads, mallards and wood ducks. Types of herons that you are likely to see are the black crowned night heron, the green heron and the great blue heron. You can also see bald eagles, which usually nest on Strawberry Island. They are visible from Beaver Island if you’re looking through binoculars or a spotting scope.
Amenities at Beaver Island include Bogey’s (sports bar/restaurant) and the Falconwood, which Montana International, the company that manages concessions at both Beaver Island State Park and at Big Six Marina, describes as a wedding and events destination. For more information about Montana International, check out their website at https://www.montanainternational.us/ In addition to those amenities, you can find River Lea, the home and museum of the Grand Island Historical Society on the grounds of Beaver Island State Park. The Historical Society offers meetings that feature guest presenters on a variety of Western New York-themed topics, as well as open houses.
This is the map of Grand Island without street names. The island to the northwest of Grand Island isn’t part of Grand Island. It’s just really close. Actually, Navy Island is managed by Canada as an historic site. Bald eagles nest on Navy Island and they are visible in Buckhorn Island State Park to people looking through spotting scopes and binoculars.. They also nest on Strawberry Island, which is visible from Beaver Island State Park.Ossian Bedell, who was known as the “Duke of Grand Island,” owned the Bedell House, a three-story hotel near the southern tip of Grand Island. The hotel was opened in 1878. Mr. Bedell also ran a small steamer between Buffalo and the hotel. The Bedell House featured light and airy rooms, dances and private events (bridal showers, etc.), and a staff that included children. Guests at the Bedell House could enjoy watching boat races along the Niagara River. Unfortunately, the Bedell House was susceptible to fire. The first Bedell House burned down in 1877. The second Bedell House burned down in 1935, just before the Grand Island bridges opened. In fact, the first vehicles to cross a Grand Island bridge were fire trucks from the Sheridan Fire Company. They were there to help put out the fire at the Bedell House. Unfortunately, the building was destroyed. The ferries, too, were no more. The Ossian Bedell steamer and the other ferries stopped running after the bridges were built. Another Bedell House was built after the 1935 fire, but it burned down in 1988. All that remains is the old hot dog stand, now the home of Casey’s Cabana, which is operated seasonally by a group of young people.
Tomorrow, I will conclude this series with River Lea and the Grand Island Fire Company!!!
Thank you, very well written and mist enjoyable!
Fascinating read! Love the blend of history and vivid imagery in your photos. Looking forward to the next part!