Territorial pride and geographical distinction amongst residents in the Town of Groton has always made for good conversation.

I still recall, while serving as Mayor for the Town in 2011, residents coming to speak before the council indicating that their place of residence was in Noank, Mystic, Poquonnock, or one of the other eight fire districts in the Town. I would always comment to myself, under my breath of course, “…no you don’t, you live in and pay taxes to the Town of Groton.”

Recently, while conducting local history research, I came across a parcel of property commonly identified as being located within a specific Groton fire district; however, in the strictest sense, it is not officially connected to any of Groton’s fire districts.

It would be fair, in this author’s opinion, to catalog this property as being a Groton “No Man’s Land.” I am sure this information will bring about a great deal of discussion and, no doubt, some controversy and legal haggling.

The property I am referring to is what is commonly known as “Mouse Island,” at the mouth of the Mystic River in the waters of Fishers Island Sound. The island, which is less than one acre in size and is home to three houses, is positioned off the southern end of Morgan Point in the Village of Noank and the eastern shoreline of Groton Long Point.

Although not officially documented, it has been said that the Mashantucket Indians originally owned the island and used it to dry their fishing nets. The Mashantuckets reportedly named the island “Mouse Island.”

Officially, Groton Town land records reflect that on March 8, 1731, “a lot of land on the mainland of “Nowayunk Neck” in Groton, together with a small island called “Mouse Island,” were deeded to Captain John Ashcraft. Since then the property changed hands several times.

It is important to note that, although every transfer deed has referred to the island as “Mouse Island,” there came a time in the early 1900s when the island was called Muse Island. In fact, there are several postcards which incorporate the Muse Island name.

As the story goes, it seems that a Capt. Gustavus L. Green, a friend of the owners of the island who lived in the area, was not keen on the name “Mouse Island.” Feeling it to be too ordinary, he attempted to persuade the owners to change the name to Muse Island.

Failing to convince the owners, Green, who was a writer for The (New London) Day newspaper, took it upon himself, using his “editorial privilege,” to use the name “Muse Island” in several articles he wrote for the Day. One must wonder if Captain Green may have had something to do with the production of the postcards also.

In 1881 the property, including Mouse Island, was deeded to Nelson Morgan. In 1868 Morgan sold a large portion of the property, excluding the island, to the United States Government for the purpose of erecting the Morgan Point Lighthouse.

The island property remained in the possession of Morgan until October 1896 when he sold it to Herbert L. Mitchell, an Episcopal minister from Yantic who had previously ministered at a church in Mystic, for the price of $50. Not too shabby when you take into consideration that more recently the land on the island has been appraised at over $1.2 million.

In the late 1880s, the island property was subsequently divided into three plots. Mr. Mitchell maintained ownership of one of the plots, and the two remaining plots were deeded to his friend, George V. Sevin.

By the summer of 1867, both Mitchell and Sevin had built cottages on the island, the first structures to be built on the island.

By 1937, a total of five cottages had been built on the island. Unfortunately, the wrath of the Hurricane of 1938 took no mercy on the island and all five structures were swept away.

Three new cottages were subsequently built on the island in 1939, 1940 and 1948 to replace those destroyed by the hurricane. Sadly, on Aug. 30, 1954, Hurricane Carol traveled up the East Coast and caused serious damage to the three cottages.

All three house were repaired and, although most have been remodeled or had additions made to them, they are still used as summer residences today.

During the early years, residents of the homes on the island lacked the more common household conveniences including electricity, telephone service, fresh water and sewage disposal. During the past 50 or so years, with the development and advancement of generators, cell phones, cleaner power sources and a sewage disposal system, the residents of the houses on the island now have access to amenities which make their stay on the island more enjoyable.

In the early 1970s, the Noank Fire District became eligible for federally subsidized flood insurance for damages resulting from floods and hurricanes. Homeowners of Mouse Island, assuming that the island was within the boundaries of the Noank Fire District, applied for the insurance. To their surprise, it was learned that their homes and Mouse Island were not, in a legal sense, part Noank.

It seems that all of Groton’s fire districts were established to provide fire protections, street numbers, lighting or various other services to residents/homeowners in return for their paying a special (fire district) tax, in this case, to the Noank Fire District. Because the Noank Fire District did not provide any of these services to Mouse Island, they were not within the “corporate” limits of Noank.

In an attempt to determine exactly where Mouse Island fell within the legal confines of Groton, the matter was referred to the Groton Town Attorney for a legal opinion. In a letter from the Town Attorney dated Dec. 12, 1973, he outlined the specific territorial limits (boundaries) of Noank outlined in the Connecticut General Statutes going back to 1918 (and as amended at various times through 1961). Based upon the specific territorial limits, he opined: “Therefore, it appears that the southerly boundary of the Noank Fire District is the northerly boundary of Fishers Island Sound. I am, therefore, of the opinion that Mouse Island is not a part of the Noank Fire District.”

Although Mouse Island was not eligible for the flood insurance offered to Noank, the Town of Groton was eligible for the insurance and the island received the insurance through the town.

The interesting question now is, if Mouse Island is not part of the Noank Fire District, do they fall within the legal territorial limits of another fire district? I am sure there are specific territorial boundaries outlined for all other nearby fire districts and thus the island would not qualify as being part of those districts.

The next question would be – just exactly what are the territorial boundaries of Groton?? And, if Mouse Island is not within the confines of Noank, or even Groton, then just where or in what town are they located?

With “tongue in cheek,” I guess you could say that Mouse Island is in “Groton’s No Man’s Land.”

Jim Streeter is Groton Town Historian.