[GANONG] DOCHET (ST. CROIX) ISLAND 219 
4, THE FUTURE TO BE DESIRED FOR DocHET ISLAND. 
The future of the part of. the island owned by the United 
States is assured; it will remain perpetually the property of the 
government, and continue to support the light station, which is here 
both indispensable and admirably placed. For the remainder, how- 
ever, still in private hands, there are two possible futures, aside of 
course, from remaining in its present condition, which cannot con- 
tinue indefinitely. First, it will be bought by some person of means 
who will build there a summer home, and then it will cease to be 
open to all as now, and the public will have a right to visit this part 
of the historic island only by courtesy of the owner. Indeed, an 
attempt has already been made, but so far unsuccessfully, by a pro- 
minent former officer of the United States Government to secure 
it for such a purpose. Second, it could be purchased by the State 
of Maine as a part of a park system ultimately intended to preserve 
for the free use, enjoyment and instruction of the public, all places 
of great historic, scenic or other unusual interest in the State. Cer- 
tainly it would be a misfortune if even a part of the island in whose 
history so many feel a deep interest, and which, by that very fact, 
becomes in a measure the property of all, should be closed against 
the free access of all who desire to visit it. It is a good thing for 
a people to take pride in their history, and this they do the more 
if they can study it freely upon the actual sites of their historic 
events, and surrounded by the charm which always hovers over places 
which have witnessed historic scenes. It would be an enlightened 
and public-spirited, and as well a profitable, act for the State of 
Maine to take over and care for this place as a contribution to the 
higher life and to the education of the people of the State, of the 
Union, of America. At no large expense it could be acquired, beau- 
tified by the planting of trees, and preserved against farther loss 
from the waves, and an understanding could no doubt be effected 
with the United States Government for the improvement of the 
entire island. The Maine Historical Society would be its natural 
custodian or guardian, and could most properly initiate this move- 
ment. Further than this, there should be erected upon the island a 
suitable monument stating the chief facts in its history and indicating 
the principal historic spots upon it. This, indeed, need not wait 
for the consummation of the larger plan, but could well be under- 
taken by the Maine and New Brunswick Historical Societies jointly. 
And there could be no more appropriate time for its dedication than 
the ter-centennial of the discovery of the island on June 26, 1904. 
