Blennerhassett Island State Park

Visit the Ohio River’s most famous island.

Blennerhassett Island is perhaps the Ohio River’s most famous island due to its interesting history. The island was settled in 1789 by wealthy Irish aristocrats Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett, who were fleeing political persecution. They built a lovely mansion home there that gained a reputation for being the west’s most beautiful home. In 1805, the Blennerhassett's allowed their estate to be used as headquarters for Aaron Burr’s military expedition to the southwest, which earned Blennerhassett Island a permanent footnote in American History. There was and is a conspiracy that Burr intended to carry out a treasonous plot to create a new country independent from the United States, which caused the Blennerhassett's to flee the island, leaving their beautiful home empty. The Burr conspiracy has given birth to many works of art including stories, poems, and Broadway shows.

Blennerhassett Island is accessible by ferry boat and is open for tours from May to October. Visitors should plan at least three hours to tour the island. There are guided tours given by volunteers dressed in period-appropriate clothing, or you may take a self-guided tour. Horse-drawn wagon rides are also available. The Blennerhassett Hotel, the nationally recognized Oil and Gas Museum, and the North Bend State Park are all close by making for a fun-filled day.