Isle au Haut was named by explorer Samuel de Champlain in the 1600s, meaning “high island”. It was later settled in the 18th century by English and Scottish settlers engaged in farming, sheepherding, fishing, and later in the mid-19th century, boatbuilding.
Around 50 families make this island their home year-round. The population bulges to 250 in the summer. It is served by a mail boat twice a day that ferries mail, passengers, supplies and amazon.com packages to and from nearby Stonington.
Everybody knows everybody, doors are left unlocked, the few shops, post office and gas pump are on the honor system. The island’s book club posts the latest read on a public bulletin board at the town landing, which serves the mail boat and lobster boats
Interestingly, although geographically detached from Mount Desert Island, which is home to Acadia National Park, a large piece of Isle au Haut is designated as part of the park, and includes hikes through woods, over mountains and along the rugged coast.
