SCENIC LOCAL WALKS
Portsmouth, NH

At long last Peirce Island is well-cared for an open to the public. Visible from Prescott Park, the former site of Fort Washington now offers walking trails, picnic areas, scenic views and a boat launch in the historic South End.

Name: Peirce Island
Location: Across from Strawbery Banke parking lot off Marcy Street at the end of the Prescott Park gardens in Portsmouth’s South End
Details: City owned, managed by public board, closed 11pm (June 1 to October 1) and at 7pm the rest of the year.
Resources: Parking, public boat ramp open all times, walking paths, historic markers, rest room on Four Tree Island only, site of public pool in summer with small playground. Picnic area at Four Tree Island with cooking facilities.
Rules: Carry in, carry out. Closed at night. Open at sunrise.
Dogs: Okay on leash, but not in picnic area
Web Site: City of Portsmouth

After taking in a speech at the Tobias Lear house, we wandered past the Point of Graves and across the Peirce Island bridge that looks back over to the Portsmouth South End. It was a cloudy day in the final gasp of summer. The walk takes you past the struggling commercial fishing dock and onto the historic island that juts out into the Piscataqua towards Maine. A small boat owner was taking a last trip. Only a half dozen walkers passed by in an hour while Prescott Park nearby still hummed with activity on a brisk Sunday afternoon.

Locals visit in summer to use the enormous outdoor city pool that is not pictured here. We also didn’t photograph the sewer treatment plant located at the east end of the island where Fort Washington once stood. That area is off limits. Those who haven’t visited the island recently will find neatly groomed walkways that wind through a woodsy area, dotted with well-placed historic markers. Often publicized as a secretive gay meeting site, Peirce Island is now more open, manicured, better managed and a scenic walk for all. Bikes are not allowed on the paths, but dogs are.

A quick walk or jog around the island offers views of the Naval Shipyard, the South End, three Piscataqua bridges and the "back channel" with a small island toward Newcastle. We copied down the pretty dry historic timeline posted and it is reprinted on the second page at the end of this photo gallery. Walk on.

JUMP TO Four Tree Island

Photos by J. Dennis Robinson

CONTINUE WALKING TOUR
of Perice Island

MORE PHOTOS OF PEIRCE ISLAND, Portsmouth, NH
SeacoastNH Walking Trails
(scroll to bottom for History Timeline of Peirce Island)

Photos by J. Dennis Robinson. GOseacoast.com

Peirce Island Historical Timeline
From City of Portsmouth sign on the island

1650 (circa)
Doc. Renald Fernald acquires what becomes known as Doctor’s Island. His will leaves the eastern half of the island to his daughter Mary, while his other daughter, Sarah, is given the western half.

1728
Joshua Peirce obtains a small section of the eastern portion of the island

1735
Joshua Peirce obtains another small portion of the island

1775
The Revolutionary War begins. Construction of Fort Washington, named after the first Commander-in-Chief, George Washington, is begun on the east end of the island. Peirce island is now in the joint possession of the Perice family and the heirs of Elizabeth Janvrin, a descendant of Dr. Fernald.

1775
General Sullivan constructs a pontoon bridge from Peirce Island to the mainland, the first known bridge connecting the two.

1796
The Janvrin heirs sell their remaining interest in the island to the Peirce family.

1812
The War of 1812 between the British and the United States begins.

1813
Fort Washington defenses are fortified following sightings of British cruisers navigating just off the coast.

1815
Peirce island’s significance as a bastion in Portsmouth Harbor defense system comes to a close with the end of the War of 1812.

1923
City of Portsmouth purchases the island (27 acres) for $11,000 . Soon after the city builds a wooden bridge to the island.

1937
Peirce Island outside municipal pool is constructed with Works Progress Administration (WPA) money.

1941
Peirce Island is first used as a rest and recreation area for World War II troops.

1958
A steel bridge is built, replacing the wooden bridge.

1965
The Peirce Island Wastewater Treatment Plant is constructed on the island’s eastern end.

1978
A master plan for recreational improvements on Peirce Island is developed.

2000
Peirce Island Master Plan is updated and multi-year implementation begins.

2004
East End trails project is completed.