Ridley Island

From NexusWiki

Ridley Island is one of two medium-sized islands of the Saint Germaine archipelago situated between Saint Germaine Island to the South and Northcamp Island to the North. It is home to the neighborhood of Ridleytown, Hayden Stadium, and Hammerstrom Airport.

[edit] History

Ridley Island takes its name from the first individual to officially "own" the land: Lord Jonas Ridley. Until his arrival to the archipelago in 1878, the island was uninhabited and mostly grasslands and forest. He purchased the island and built a home, Ridley House, on the Western shore (construction was completed in 1885). Five years later, he built a ferry on the South shore.

He lived there for the rest of his life, a recluse. In 1954, upon his death, the island was deeded back into the possession of the Saint Germaine government as long as three statutes were upheld (if any were broken, the island would revert back to the property of his family):

• That Ridley House be forever maintained, if possible,
• That at least 20% of the land be given over to public places, and
• That it be used to the highest benefit of the peoples of Saint Germaine possible

To this end, the bulk of the island was given over to low-income housing. A park was erected around Ridley House and Hayden Stadium was built on the Eastern edge of the island.

However, in 1976 tragedy struck Ridley House in the form of a fire and the entire structure was lost. In its place was built Hammerstrom Airport, technically defined as being a "public work," and thus satisfying the terms of the will.

Since his death, Ridley Island has grown into a neighborhood of low-income housing (see Ridleytown).