Uncovering the Interesting History of Burlington Island
The Delaware River is home to many islands, but one in New Jersey played a crucial role in shaping the public education system in the United States.
Burlington Island, located between Bristol, Pennsylvania, and Burlington, New Jersey, was originally called Matinicunk Island by the Lenape people, meaning “Island of Pines.” This 300-acre island is rich in history and has seen many changes over the centuries.
The Lenape Tribe first inhabited Burlington Island. In the 1620s, settlers from present-day Belgium established a trading post there to barter with the natives. During this time, the area that includes parts of Connecticut, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey was known as New Netherland, a colony created by the Dutch West India Company in 1624. However, when English settlers arrived in the 1660s, most of the Dutch moved away.
In 1671, conflicts between European settlers and the Lenape led to the deaths of two men—New Jersey’s first recorded murders. Over time, growing tensions forced the Lenape to leave the island. Ownership of Burlington Island passed through several hands until the 1680s when it was granted to the City of Burlington. The title came with the condition that profits from the island would fund education. The land was rented to farmers, and the revenue supported what became the first publicly funded school in the United States.
By the early 1900s, Burlington Island had transformed into a popular summer destination. Visitors flocked to Burlington Island Park for picnics, swimming, and relaxation. An ice cream stand was built to serve the crowds. At its peak, the island attracted up to 4,000 visitors daily, and amusements were added, including Island Beach Amusement Park, which opened in 1917. Guests reached the park via steamboats, as there was no bridge.
The amusement park featured a wooden roller coaster called The Greyhound and a carousel. While the carousel survived and now resides at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, other attractions were destroyed in fires in 1928 and 1934. Following the fires, the park closed, and part of the island was sold for sand and gravel mining, creating the large lagoon that remains today.
In the following years, a few people resided on the island, living in bungalows. Many claim it was the best time of their lives.
In later years, the island faced neglect. In the 1980s, it became a dumping ground for debris, and in 2012, recreational access was banned due to safety concerns. Items like old refrigerators, car parts, and dredging material piled up. In 2016, the Army Corps of Engineers proposed clearing parts of the island for more dumping, but the City of Burlington halted these plans, recognizing the island’s environmental and historical value.
In recent years, efforts led by the Board of Island Managers and volunteers have focused on cleaning and preserving Burlington Island. While remnants like the carousel’s concrete foundation remain, ongoing maintenance and environmental protection efforts continue to restore this historically significant island.
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