Iona Island - Hudson River Reserve, NY

Cultural History

Existing evidence indicates that Native Americans occupied the island as much as 5,500 years ago. Archaeological sites have been scientifically excavated and documented on Iona Island. Artifacts are on display at the Bear Mountain Trailside Museum and Zoo, one mile north of the site.

Europeans originally settled on Iona Island in 1683. Although the site was not used for commercial purposes until the mid-19th century, by the time of the Civil War, Iona Island was producing a substantial amount of commercially grown fruit. During the Civil War, the island was converted to a resort hotel. In 1899, the Navy purchased Iona Island for use as a munitions depot through World War II. In 1965, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) purchased the island for use as a recreation area and bird sanctuary.