Ellis Island the region. The oyster beds remained a major source of food for nearly three centuries. Landfilling to build the railyards of the Lehigh Valley Railroad and the Central Railroad of New Jersey eventually obliterated the oyster beds, engulfed one island, and brought the shoreline much closer to the others. During the colonial period, Little Oyster Island was known as Dyre's, then Bucking Island. In the 1760s, after some pirates were hanged from one of the island's scrubby trees, it became known as Gibbet Island. It was acquired by Samuel Ellis, a colonial New Yorker and merchant possibly from Wales, around
Daufuskie Island better job opportunities. The industry faced more setbacks as pollution from the Savannah River in the 1950s contaminated the island oyster beds. New wage and hour laws increased labor costs on the cannery cause it to close after the 1986 spring season. Fortunately, mom-and-pop shops continue to sell oysters on the island. The island is now split into five parts. To the northeast is the Haig Point Club, a private, member-owned residential club with around 150 year-round residents and over 225 homes. South of Haig Point is the Melrose Resort and residential community. Currently, the resort is closed but a