By Ah, Block Island
A place of breathtaking beauty, rugged charm, and the occasional historical nugget that makes you say, “Wait, WHO was Adriaen Block?”
Let’s rewind to the early 1600s, when the high seas were a lot less about luxury cruises and a lot more about trying not to get scurvy. Our protagonist, Adriaen Block, a Dutch private trader, privateer (yes, piracy-adjacent), and all-around adventurer, was busy mapping the East Coast before GPS, Google Maps, or even a vague sense of direction were invented.
The Accidental Explorer
Block originally set sail for the New World to make money and trade with the locals. But as fate (and strong winds) would have it, he ended up being one of the first Europeans to discover that Manhattan was an island. That’s right—before Block came along, people were kind of unsure about the whole “is this land floating?” situation.
During his journeys from 1611 to 1614, Block made his way up the Connecticut River which was originally called Verse River (Fresh River) —something I imagine was much less pleasant back then, given that boats weren’t quite the engineering marvels they are today. And because nature is rude, the river froze solid, forcing him and his crew to settle in the middle of a New England winter.
+Survival Tip #1: If you accidentally colonize a place, maybe aim for springtime.
Naming Things Like a Boss
If there’s one thing explorers love, it’s slapping their names on stuff. Block didn’t disappoint. He may have named Block Island after himself (bold move), and Fishers Island after a shipmate (generous, but also—was there a more interesting name available?).
His 1614 map of the region was a game-changer. Not only did it officially introduce “New Netherland” as a concept, but it also laid the groundwork for Dutch settlements—like the one that eventually became Hartford, Connecticut. Which, let’s be honest, probably would’ve been easier to settle had the river not tried to turn it into a skating rink first.
The Final Voyage
After making discoveries left and right, Block took his knowledge back to Amsterdam, where he wisely decided he was done freezing his toes off in the New World. He spent the rest of his years sailing elsewhere, and in 1627, he was laid to rest in Amsterdam’s Oude Kerk—right beside his wife, who had predeceased him two years earlier.
So, next time you’re soaking up the sun on Block Island, just remember—you owe a little gratitude to a Dutch trader who accidentally named things, froze a bit, and helped shape American history, all before deciding that retirement in Amsterdam sounded way more comfortable.
Thinking of heading back to Block Island soon? You might find yourself appreciating it even more with this bit of history in mind!