Home / Environment / Banker's Island Estate Becomes Bird Sanctuary
Banker's Island Estate Becomes Bird Sanctuary
26 Aug
Summary
- Island ownership changed hands 36 times over 229 years.
- A New York banker built a mansion and electric grid.
- Habitat changes for hunting created a vital bird refuge.
For 229 years, Bulls Island off the South Carolina coast saw ownership change hands 36 times before becoming part of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Gayer Dominick, a New York banker, acquired the island in 1925 with plans for a private hunting preserve. He established a mansion, Dominick House, and even strung electricity across islands to power his retreat.
Dominick's efforts to enhance waterfowl habitat through wetland alterations unexpectedly created prime conditions for bird conservation. This transformation occurred over his 11-year ownership, after which he transferred the island to the federal government in 1936. The property addition significantly expanded the Cape Romain Migratory Waterfowl Refuge.
Today, the refuge spans over 66,000 acres and supports approximately 290 bird species. Bulls Island, a popular section, also shelters alligators and diverse wildlife within its maritime forest. Visitors can explore historical remnants like tabby ruins and Sewee middens, echoing the island's long past.
