Know Your Neighborhood: Lost Island(s) of the Delaware River    

Few people today know that there used to be an island in the the Delaware River between the downtown areas of Philadelphia and Camden.

The presence of a land formation in the Delaware River was noted by Thomas Holme, the first surveyor general of Pennsylvania and designer of Philadelphia’s street plan, who observed “muddy mounds” opposite the city. Over the years, sediment, sand, and silt from the river accumulated on these shoals to form a single, twenty-five acre island. The hull of a ship, discovered later by dredgers removing the islands, may have contributed to the accumulation of sediment and debris and the formation of the island.

The island, off of what is now Penns Landing, was named for the windmill that was erected (in 1746) on the north end of the island (1st photo - 1776 map). Windmill Island was later developed as an island resort in the 1820's, used by (primarily working class) Philadelphians throughout the 19th century as a summer getaway and picnicking spot. In 1838, a short canal was dug through the middle of the island to allow more direct ferry service between Philadelphia and Camden. The northern half was renamed Smith Island and the southern half retained the name Windmill Island. A hotel, restaurant, beer garden, pool, public baths, and the river’s breeze all helped hot city dwellers find respite from the summer heat.

In 1893, the federal government decided to remove the islands through dredging to allow larger ships to dock along the city’s waterfront. By 1897, the islands had been removed and are now nothing more than an historical footnote.

1776 map

Swimming on Smith Island

Smith Island Beer garden

     Steamboat John Smith at Smith's Island 1880

1882

1890 view