Nixes Mate: A Tiny Island with a Dark Past
Nixes Mate, also known as Nixes Island, is a small island in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. It is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. The island is located about 5 miles from downtown Boston and is only about 1 acre in size at low tide.
The island is named after a pirate named Captain Nix. According to legend, Nix buried his treasure on the island and then murdered his mate to keep the secret. The mate's ghost is said to haunt the island.
Nixes Mate was once a much larger island, but it has been eroded by the sea over the years. The island was used as a place for ships to load ballast in the 17th century. Pirates were also hanged on the island, and their bodies were displayed there as a warning to other pirates.
Today, Nixes Mate is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can take a ferry to the island and explore its many historical sites. The island is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, seals, and fish.
Here are some of the things you can see and do on Nixes Mate:
- Visit the Nixes Mate Daybeacon, a historic lighthouse that was built in 1805.
- Explore the ruins of Fort Warren, a fort that was built on the island in the 19th century.
- Go for a walk or bike ride on the island's many trails.
- Relax on the beach and enjoy the views of Boston Harbor.
- Go fishing or swimming in the harbor.
Nixes Mate is a great place to learn about the history of Boston and to enjoy the natural beauty of the harbor.