Grand Island on the Niagara: Once a Refuge, Once a Dream, Once a Battlefield
Artist rendition of Navy Island, next to Grand Island, as part of the proposed UN headquarters.
Mordecai, the UN, and the Island Between Nations: The Forgotten Story of Grand Island, NY
Tucked in the Niagara River between Canada and the United States lies Grand Island, New York—a place with a quiet present but a bold past. At 27 miles around, Grand Island is nearly the size of Manhattan. And for a moment in time, this island was imagined as something extraordinary: a sanctuary, a battlefield, and maybe even the seat of world peace.
Mordecai Noah’s Wild Dream
In 1825, Mordecai Manuel Noah—a Jewish American diplomat, playwright, and political figure—had a radical idea. As anti-Semitism surged in Europe, he sought a refuge for Jews in the New World. Not in Palestine. Not in Eastern Europe. But right here, in Western New York.
His vision? A Jewish city of refuge called Ararat on Grand Island. Noah even held a dedication ceremony, placed a cornerstone, and invited Jews from around the world to join. He called Grand Island the “Promised Land” for modern times—safe, free, and full of possibility.
The plan never fully materialized. But it left a lasting mark. It was the first serious attempt to create a Jewish homeland in the modern era, predating Zionism by decades.
A Crossroads of Nations
Grand Island isn’t just a dreamscape—it’s a geographic and political crossroads. The island lies directly between Canada and the United States, a stone’s throw from Niagara Falls. Its location, scale, and relative neutrality made it a serious contender in the mid-20th century as a site for the United Nations headquarters.
Ultimately, New York City won out. But for a brief window, Grand Island was discussed as a potential capital of the world—a symbolic bridge between countries, cultures, and continents.
Burnt Ship Creek: The War of 1812’s Scorched Secret on Grand Island
Just off the southern edge of Grand Island, New York, nestled in the marshy bend of the Niagara River, lies a place with a name as dramatic as its past: Burnt Ship Creek.
It’s quiet now. You’ll find birds nesting, kayaks drifting, and fishermen casting lines into still waters. But over 200 years ago, this serene inlet was the site of destruction, desperation, and wartime strategy.
A River on Fire
In the winter of 1813–1814, the War of 1812 raged along the U.S.–Canada border. Following a brutal season of raids and counter-raids—including the burning of Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake) by American troops and the retaliatory destruction of Lewiston by British and Mohawk forces—tensions were at a boiling point.
As British forces advanced along the Niagara River, a small flotilla of American supply boats and gunboats were stationed near the southern tip of Grand Island. These were likely wooden vessels used to ferry food, ammunition, and personnel between Fort Niagara and inland points like Buffalo and Black Rock.
Fearing capture, American troops set the boats on fire, letting the flames consume them rather than allow them to fall into enemy hands.
The burning ships drifted into the narrow, marshy channel we now call Burnt Ship Creek. The charred remains of those boats settled into the mud and silt, giving the creek its name—a rare and haunting monument to the desperation of war.
What’s Left?
Local legend says pieces of blackened timbers were still visible for decades, though much of it has likely sunk into the sediment. Archaeological digs have confirmed that historic ship remains lie buried in the area.
The name lives on—not just in maps, but in the memory of locals who understand the significance of this overlooked site. It’s one of the few spots on Grand Island with a direct, physical connection to the War of 1812.
Visit the Site
Today, Burnt Ship Creek is a peaceful stop for birdwatchers, paddlers, and history lovers alike. The Burnt Ship Creek Canoe Launch, just off Beaver Island Parkway, offers access to the river and the surrounding marshlands.
It’s not a battlefield with plaques and statues. But it’s a place where the past still whispers through the reeds.
A Living Legacy
Most people drive over Grand Island without a second thought—on the I-190 bridges that stretch from Buffalo to Niagara Falls. But underneath that quiet surface is a deep current of history:
A battlefield.
A refuge.
A nearly global capital.
And still today—a place where stories meet the shore.
You can explore Grand Island’s past and present through our customized historical tours at GoNiagaraTours.com.From Burnt Ship Creek to Mordecai Noah’s forgotten cornerstone,
