In the St Lawrence River, at the interface between the borders of the United States and Canada, lies one of the most unusual islands in the world. Although Just Room Enough Island (which literally means ‘Island of Barely Enough’) is only 310sq m in size, it has its occupants, making it considered the smallest inhabited island in the world.
A tiny paradise among a thousand islands
Just Room Enough Island is part of the Thousand Islands archipelago, which is actually made up of 1,864 islets scattered across the border between the USA and Canada, near the town of Alexandria Bay in New York State. Many of these islands are so small that only a single tree can be planted on them, but this one stands out in particular – someone has decided to live on it. In a microscopic space, they managed to fit a full-fledged house, one tree, two shrubs, a few garden benches and a piece of beach. There are times when the river level is lower, in which case the rocky island emerges and the inhabitants have a larger area at their disposal. During the spring melt, on the other hand, the water goes right up to the foundations.
From a family dream to a world record
In the 1950s, the island was purchased by the Sizeland family, who were looking for a peaceful place for a summer home. The idea was simple: get away from the hustle and bustle, find peace and quiet, and build something absolutely unique. What was meant to be a modest family haven has evolved over time into a tourist attraction and a Guinness Book of World Records record holder. Until 1982, the title of the world’s smallest inhabited island was held by Bishop Rock, located off the coast of Cornwall in the UK. It was home to a manned lighthouse, but after it was automated and no longer manned, Just Room Enough Island took over the title.
Just Room Enough Island: geographyand neighbourhood
The famous island is located between Heart Island and Imperial Isle, close to the famous Boldt Castle – one of the biggest attractions of the Thousand Islands region. The castle was built in the early 20th century by millionaire George Boldt as a romantic gesture for his wife. Nowadays, the building is open to the public and is an interesting contrast to the microscopic island nearby: a monumental mansion on one side, a house that fits on a “blob of land” on the other. From the deck of tour boats, it is easy to spot the distinctive red roof of the island house, which makes the building stand out clearly against the surrounding water and greenery. Although it attracts crowds of tourists, it is worth remembering that it is privately owned and you cannot enter the rocks.
Just Room Enough Island as a symbol ofminimalism and dreams
Just Room Enough Island has become a global symbol of ‘micro’ living, where every metre of space matters. It is proof that you don’t need huge spaces to create a family retreat, all you need is creativity and a bit of courage. The island is still part of the same family and, despite the years, has survived not only the tests of time, but of nature, including high tides, snowstorms and summer storms. At a time when there is more and more talk about minimalism, ecology and escaping the urban rush, Just Room Enough Island takes on a new dimension, becoming a symbol of a conscious choice to live in harmony with nature.
Source: thesun.co.uk, thetravel.com
Also read: Architecture | Holiday home | History | United States | Interesting facts
