History
Petty Island was called "Shackamaxon Island" after the local Shackamaxon village of Lenni Lenape, "Aquikanasara" by Swedish explorer Peter Lindestrom in 1654, and "Treaty Island" likely after Penn Treaty by the Manderson Family who in 1852 bought most of the land. It was bought from local chiefs by Elizabeth Kinsey, a Quaker who had fled persecution in England. William Penn owned the island after Kinsey; John Petty, its namesake, bought it in 1732. It is thought to be the place where Captain Blackbeard docked his ship when visiting Philadelphia. 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 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".
Petty Island is currently uninhabited, the last residential structure having burned down in 1964. It was subject to industrial development in the 20th century, and is owned by Citgo, which uses the island for fuel storage. There is a crew of approximately 100 Citgo employees who worked on the island. Additionally, Citgo leases portions of the island to Crowley Maritime, a company shipping goods to Puerto Rico, and Koch Industries, an asphalt manufacturing business. The western end of the island is undeveloped and forested.
In the 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. Environmental groups have opposed these measures because of a pair of American Bald Eagles living on the island. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez announced in April 2009 that the Venezuelan Government (owner of CITGO) will donate the Island to New Jersey for environmental developments. Plans are being finalized for the transition, which will not occur before 2020.
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