Here's my dad walking around the old neighborhood of Center Hill. This part wasn't sad, it was just weird. Half the houses were boarded up, but a lot looked like people could still be living in them. It was less like visiting home, and more like wandering around the set of a horror movie.
View of Still Harbor from Lt.'s Row.
And this is why we lived on the island, despite everything- that's my little sister Liz and her fiance Erin, standing feet away from a freakin' bald eagle! Driving around we saw herds of deer, otters, harbor seals, coyotes, feral cats, and all kinds of birds. The parts of the island that aren't leased by the prison are owned by the Department of Natural Resources, it's an untouched nature preserve.
The rest of the photos are here. And the comic is coming along (relatively) soon!
Shoot, I meant to preorder & forgot! I totally want to pick one up, though. I do likes me some place-based comics (unsurprisingly).
ReplyDeleteMy ancestors were some of the original settlers . My uncle who just died at age 90 was born on the island in 1922 . As was most of his siblings the eldest that still lives is 92 . They owned and ran the wood mill on the island . We would like to get on the island but don't know how to go about doing that . Any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated .
ReplyDeleteHi Marvin! It's always good to hear from people who've heard of McNeil, and I talk a little bit about the early settlers in my book "Island Brat". I haven't been there since the "closing ceremonies" over a year ago. There's a McNeil Island Historical Society on Facebook, or you might try contacting the Special Commitment Center (which is the only industry left out there) and request a visit- http://dshs.wa.gov/SCC/Visit.shtml
DeleteHmm been awhile since I replied ;-/ I did contact the SCC they were unhelpful to say the least . I did talk to a nice woman I had found the name of somewhere that was in charge of the future prospects for the island . She was very honest and basically said there was very little chance of ever visiting the island legally since there is just the sex offenders and the Fish and Wildlife reserve both of which don't want anyone near them ;-/ Crazy that it was easier to get on the island legally when there was hundreds of convicts . Because at least then there was a warden to deal with . And the warden sometimes allowed a bus full of visitors .Thanks for the reply sorry it took me so long to see it ;-) 3 years! LOL ! Still no luck ;-/
ReplyDeleteI got back out there briefly in June 2014 to research my new book (shameless self promotion: http://www.amazon.com/Prison-Island-A-Graphic-Memoir/dp/1942186029) but that was with help from the McNeil Island Historical Society and DOC. Saw on Facebook they're organizing a ride on the old James Bennet ferry soon. Might check it out? Best of luck.
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