Davids Island Map

Description:

Description: This map shows where the Davids Island is located in New York City.

Description: This map shows where the Davids Island is located in New York State.

Davids Island is a 78-acre island located in western Long Island Sound, approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) off the coast of New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York. The island has a rich military history spanning nearly a century, serving as an important defensive position for New York Harbor and later as a training facility.

The island was purchased by the U.S. government in 1867 from its previous owner, Thaddeus Davids, from whom it derives its name. From 1878 to 1921, it operated as Fort Slocum, serving as a recruitment and training center during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and other military conflicts. At its peak, the fort housed over 100 buildings including barracks, officers' quarters, a hospital, and various support facilities. During World War I, Fort Slocum was one of the busiest recruitment centers in the country, processing thousands of soldiers before they deployed overseas.

After World War I, the Army repurposed the island as a training center for various military schools, including the Fort Slocum School for Military Musicians which was established in 1931. During World War II, the island served as an anti-aircraft artillery training center. The Army closed Fort Slocum in 1965, and the facilities were largely abandoned. For decades, the deteriorating military structures remained on the island, with several buildings collapsing or becoming severely damaged over time.

In 2008, after years of environmental studies and public debate about the island's future, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertook a $26 million demolition project to remove all remaining structures from the island. By 2012, the island had been cleared of all buildings and infrastructure, returning it to a largely natural state. Today, Davids Island remains uninhabited and is not open to the public. While there are no formal beaches or recreational facilities, the shoreline consists of rocky beaches and small coves.

The City of New Rochelle currently owns the island and has considered various development proposals over the years, including parks, residential communities, and mixed-use developments. However, as of now, no concrete plans have been implemented. The island remains an important ecological habitat for various bird species and marine life in Long Island Sound.