Murray Isle is an island in theThousand Islands region of theSt. Lawrence River in theU.S. state ofNew York. The island lies in the Town ofClayton, near its border with the Town ofOrleans, in the northern part ofJefferson County.
Today, Murray Isle is the site of many summer cottages.
While the record is unclear, it is believed that the first cottage on Murray Isle was built in 1860. The structure, a simple log cabin, was owned byDaniel Sherman. By 1880, the island had four cottages, all located upriver, on the northern portion of the island.
Murray was formerly known asHemlock Island due to the presence of that variety of tree.[1] The name was changed in the late 18th century toMurray Hill Park after theMurray Hill area ofNew York City when the island was developed and lots sold off. The development was never finished. The name was shortened to its present form some time later.
TheMurray Hill Hotel was built on the island in the late 19th century.[2] It served tourists who came over on steam ships fromClayton, NY through the early 20th century when it closed and was ultimately torn down. Today a community house and post office sit on the former site of the hotel. The post office operates yearly from June until September. An annual "Fish Fry" is hosted on the grounds of the community house every summer; the event takes place on the first Saturday of July.
Murray Isle is bounded by channels on both its eastern and western tips. The channel on the island's eastern tip, known as "The Narrows" separates Murray Isle andWellesley Island. A small islet known asWintergreen Island (formerly Whippoorwill Island) is connected by afootbridge along the southern length of Murray.
44°17′24″N76°03′02″W / 44.29000°N 76.05056°W /44.29000; -76.05056
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