10. Ward’s Island Used to be Great Barn Island

Commissioner's Plan 1811-Map-NYC-Library of Congress-009

These days most of “Little Hell Gate” has been filled in between Randall’s Island and Ward Island but this shows how it once was. First, Randall’s Island was spelled Randell’s (at least on this map), and Ward’s Island was known as Great Barn Island. There was a wooden drawbridge to connect to Manhattan.