# Petty Island

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River island in the Delaware River, US

Petty Island in the Delaware River

**Petty Island** (also **Pettys Island**;[1] or **Petty's Island**) is a 292-acre (1.18 km2)[2] island located in the [Delaware River](/source/Delaware_River), which forms the border between [Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania) and [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey) in the United States. The island is situated between the cities of [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), [Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania) and [Camden, New Jersey](/source/Camden%2C_New_Jersey) and can be seen from both the [Benjamin Franklin Bridge](/source/Benjamin_Franklin_Bridge) and the [Betsy Ross Bridge](/source/Betsy_Ross_Bridge). It is the fourth-largest island in the Delaware River's path. Petty Island is officially part of [Pennsauken Township, New Jersey](/source/Pennsauken_Township%2C_New_Jersey). In 2019, the State of New Jersey announced plans to buy the island, owned by [Citgo](/source/Citgo), and make it a nature preserve.[3]

## History

Petty Island was called "Shackamaxon Island" after the local [Shackamaxon](/source/Shackamaxon) village of [Lenni Lenape](/source/Lenni_Lenape),[4] "Aquikanasara" by Swedish explorer Peter Lindestrom in 1654,[5] and "Treaty Island," the latter likely named after the [Penn Treaty](/source/Penn_Treaty_Park) by the Manderson Family, who in 1852 bought most of the land.[6] The island was originally bought from local chiefs by Elizabeth Kinsey, a [Quaker](/source/Quaker) who had fled persecution in England.[2] [William Penn](/source/William_Penn) owned the island after Kinsey; John Petty, its namesake, bought it in 1732.[2] The island was a hotbed for gambling and dueling in the 18th and 19th centuries, and acquired a reputation for lawlessness and danger; adding to this danger was the large number of [shipwrecks](/source/Shipwreck) which occurred around the island, some of which are still visible at low tide. Ralston Laird, an Irish immigrant, moved to Petty Island in 1851 and became a farm manager there, living on the island for nearly 60 years and eventually being proclaimed its "king".[2]

In 1971, the Philadelphia Bicentennial Planning Committee proposed using the island as a World's Fair style exposition site for the 1976 Bicentennial celebration. These plans were unsuccessful, however, and the park was never built. Petty Island is currently uninhabited, the last residential structure having burned down in 1964.[2] It is owned by [Citgo](/source/Citgo), which formerly used the island for fuel storage.[2] Additionally, until 2018 Citgo leased portions of the island to [Crowley Maritime](/source/Crowley_Maritime), a shipping company.[2][7] Citgo also formerly leased to [Koch Industries](/source/Koch_Industries) for asphalt manufacturing.[2] The western end of the island is undeveloped and forested.

In the early 2000s (decade), local politics in Pennsauken turned to Petty Island as a centerpiece for waterfront redevelopment, with residents and politicians hoping to install restaurants and a golf course on the island.[2] Environmental groups opposed these measures because of a pair of [bald eagles](/source/Bald_eagle) living on the island.[8]

[Venezuelan](/source/Venezuela) President [Hugo Chávez](/source/Hugo_Ch%C3%A1vez) announced in April 2009 that the Venezuelan government (owner of Citgo) would donate the island to New Jersey for environmental preservation.[9][10] The New Jersey Natural Lands Trust has been granted a conservation easement for the entire island, with ownership to be transferred from Citgo to the Natural Lands Trust by 2022, when the cleanup of the island's former petroleum operations is complete.[11][7]

## References

Media related to [Petty Island](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Petty_Island) at Wikimedia Commons

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Pursuant to an official decision of the [Board on Geographic Names](/source/Board_on_Geographic_Names) of the [United States Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey) in 1891, the official name is *Petty Island*; see [U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Petty Island](https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names/879261)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-camden_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-camden_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-camden_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-camden_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-camden_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-camden_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-camden_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-camden_2-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-camden_2-8) [Top N.J. Official Seeking Petty's Island Compromise](https://web.archive.org/web/20080512073352/http://www.camdennewjersey.org/petty%27s_island.htm). March 29, 2006. Archived copy of May 12, 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Island outside poor N.J. City could have had luxury homes. Now, it'll be a nature preserve"](https://www.nj.com/camden/2019/04/island-outside-poor-nj-city-could-have-had-luxury-homes-now-itll-be-a-nature-preserve.html). April 22, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Shakamaxon_4-0)** [Islands in the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers Within the Boundaries of Philadelphia](http://www.phillyh2o.org/backpages/Ledger_islands_1882.htm). Accessed June 12, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Aquikanasara_5-0)** [Philadelphia History: Petty's Island](http://www.ushistory.org/philadelphia/petty.htm). Accessed June 12, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pennsauken_6-0)** [Pennsauken History](http://www.twp.pennsauken.nj.us/about-pennsauken_history.cfm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070925071025/http://www.twp.pennsauken.nj.us/about-pennsauken_history.cfm) 2007-09-25 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Accessed September 8, 2007.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Zoppo_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Zoppo_7-1) Zoppo, Avalon. ["Another cleanup at Petty's Island readies a natural gem for New Jersey ownership"](http://www.philly.com/philly/news/another-cleanup-at-pettys-island-readies-a-natural-gem-for-new-jersey-ownership-20180407.html). *Philly.com*. Retrieved June 4, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Action Alert](http://www.audubonwildlifesociety.org/pettys_island/action_alert.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060302213557/http://www.audubonwildlifesociety.org/pettys_island/action_alert.htm) 2006-03-02 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). [Audubon Society](/source/Audubon_Society). Accessed September 8, 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Bolivarian Government donates Petty's Island to United States](http://www.abn.info.ve/noticia.php?articulo=178349&lee=17) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090426105425/http://www.abn.info.ve/noticia.php?articulo=178349&lee=17) 2009-04-26 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). *Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias*, April 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Venezuela to give island to New Jersey](http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/23/venezuela.island/index.html). *CNN*, April 23, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [New Jersey Natural Lands Trust Petty's Island Preserve](http://nj.gov/dep/njnlt/pettysisland.htm). Accessed June 20, 2017.

[39°57′53″N 75°06′11″W / 39.96472°N 75.10306°W / 39.96472; -75.10306](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Petty_Island&params=39_57_53_N_75_06_11_W_region:US-NJ_type:isle)

v t e Delaware River and Delaware Bay Geography Crossings Municipalities Tributaries Regions Delaware Delaware Valley Delaware River Region Lenapehoking Minisink Skylands Region Parks Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Cape Henlopen State Park Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Delaware Canal State Park Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Fort Delaware State Park Fort Delaware Fort DuPont Fort Mott Fox Point State Park Glen Foerd Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River Neshaminy State Park Penn Treaty Park Pennsbury Manor Pennypack Park Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Spruce Street Harbor Park Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Washington's Crossing Washington Crossing Historic Park Washington Crossing State Park Zane Grey Museum Canals Cape May Canal Chesapeake & Delaware Canal Delaware Canal Delaware and Hudson Canal Delaware and Raritan Canal Intracoastal Waterway Lehigh Canal Leiper Canal Lewes and Rehoboth Canal Morris Canal Islands Artificial Island Bulls Island Burlington Island Carpenter's Island Hendrick Island Little Tinicum Island Petty Island Pea Patch Island Reedy Island Shawnee Island Treasure Island Landmarks Camden Waterfront Cape Henlopen Cape May Delaware Water Gap Finns Point Foul Rift Hawk's Nest Penn's Landing Port of Camden Port of Paulsboro Port of Philadelphia Port of Salem Port of Wilmington SS United States Tri-States Monument Road and rail Belvidere and Delaware River Railway Christopher Columbus Boulevard Delaware River Scenic Byway New York State Route 97 Old Mine Road Pennsylvania Route 32 River Line History and culture 2006 Mid-Atlantic United States flood Baseball rubbing mud Battle of Delaware Bay Delaware Colony Delaware languages Delaware River Drive Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works Durham boat Harbor Defenses of the Delaware Hurricane Diane Lenape New Jersey v. Delaware New Netherland New Sweden George Washington's crossing Salt Water Barrier Tocks Island Dam controversy Walking Purchase Organizations Burlington County Bridge Commission Delaware River and Bay Authority Delaware River Basin Commission Delaware River Greenway Partnership Delaware River Port Authority Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission New York–Pennsylvania Joint Interstate Bridge Commission Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Philadelphia Water Department Pilots' Association For The Bay & River Delaware

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Petty Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petty_Island) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petty_Island?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.