Meyerton, Baker Island
Meyerton is a former settlement on Baker Island. The town was named for Captain H. A. Meyer, United States Army, who in 1935 assisted in establishing living quarters and rainwater cisterns for colonists arriving on the island for the purpose of mining the guano deposits. It was located on the west side of the island, at an elevation of 13 feet (4.0 m) above sea level.[1] In 1900, the settlement was originally named for Captain Michael Baker, called Bakerton Harbor before being changed to Millersville in 1935 and later reverted back to Meyerton in 1936. In 1974, the settlement was officially re-named to Bakerton Harbour. Baker Island had no ports or harbors in its history until 2017 due to offshore anchorage becoming prohibited.
History
[edit]In 1935 American colonists arrived aboard the USCGC Itasca (1929), the same vessel that brought colonists to neighboring Howland Island, on April 3, 1935.[citation needed] They built substantial dwellings and structures. In December 1941, most of the buildings were destroyed by the Japanese military, and in January 1942, the residents were evacuated.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Meyerton
- ^ "Baker Island National Wildlife Refuge". fws.gov. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
00°11′41″N 176°28′46″W / 0.19472°N 176.47944°W
- Baker Island
- Ghost towns in Oceania
- Ghost towns in the United States
- 1935 establishments in Oceania
- Populated places established in 1935
- 1935 establishments in the United States
- Populated places disestablished in 1942
- 1942 disestablishments in Oceania
- 1942 disestablishments in the United States
- Oceania geography stubs
- United States geography stubs
- United States ghost town stubs