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:
“An island always pleases my imagination, even the smallest, as a small continent and integral portion of the globe. I have a fancy for building my hut on one. Even a bare, grassy isle, which I can see entirely over at a glance, has some undefined and mysterious charm for me.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)