In 1910 wealthy inventor Chester Thordarson purchased  of the island. on the southwest side of the island were cleared in 1920 and Thordarson began construction of a summer estate, now known as the Thordarson Estate Historic District.
In 1910, wealthy inventor Chester Thordarson acquired the entire island. In 1920, on the southwest side of the island, land was cleared and Thordarson began building his summer estate, which is now known as the Thordarson Estate Historic District.