Up until the 1930s, West Island was owned by the Purple/Buell Family since their forbearers acquired it and the “twin” East Island in colonial times. Descendants of the Purple/Buell Family still own and maintain East Island to this day.
The Meriden chapter of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in the 1930s established a camp on West Island, naming it Camp Terramuggus after the powerful 17th century Wongunk Indian chief whose tribe occupied much of the east bank of the Connecticut River.
West Island was rented by the Scouts for more than 10 years prior to its purchase on June 8, 1944. Following the purchase, a mess hall pavilion, “tradin’ post” and camp director cabin were erected at Camp Terramuggus where numerous boys escaped city life for the wilds of East Hampton and its fabled Lake Pocotopaug. The mess hall pavilion, tradin’ post and camp director cabin still exist today as The Lodge, Tool Shed and Captain’s Cabin! The boy scouts camped on the island for decades, leading locals to refer to the place as "Boy Scout Island."
A picture from 1954 depicting the scouts who attended that summer.
Bob Weiss acquired Boy Scout Island in 1962 as a vacation retreat for his family. He built A-frame, Bay House, Chalet, and Deck House and converted the mess hall pavilion into The Lodge. He later rented them to vacationers. In 2005, the island was purchased by Jan and Jack Solomon, who renamed it Laurel Island. Mountain laurels thrive on the island, some dating back to colonial times. Jan and Jack have lovingly maintained the island, preserving it for you and your family to enjoy. Please spend some time exploring the history through the many nooks and crannies that exist throughout the island, maybe you will even find the 300-year old laurel bush!