Valcour Island is an island in Lake Champlain in Clinton County, New York, USA. The island is mostly in the Town of Peru and partly in the Town of Plattsburgh, southeast of the City of Plattsburgh.
Valcour Island, about two miles (3 km) long and a mile (2 km) broad, lies by the western shore of Lake Champlain, forming a narrow strait against the New York mainland. Its shores are alternately rocky, craggy outcroppings and sandy beaches. Several protected bays provide anchorages. The Bluff Point Light stands on the western shore. It guided boats through the narrow strait from 1871 until 1930 when it was replaced by a steel tower.
It is the fourth largest island in Lake Champlain. The only larger Islands are Grand Isle, North Hero Island and Isle la Motte of Vermont.
On October 11, 1776, a naval engagement known as the Battle of Valcour Island was fought in that strait between British and United States naval forces under Benedict Arnold.
The island is now within the Adirondack Park.
Famous quotes containing the word island:
“When the inhabitants of some sequestered island first descry the “big canoe” of the European rolling through the blue waters towards their shores, they rush down to the beach in crowds, and with open arms stand ready to embrace the strangers. Fatal embrace! They fold to their bosoms the vipers whose sting is destined to poison all their joys; and the instinctive feeling of love within their breasts is soon converted into the bitterest hate.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)