The Mohegan Bluffs
Encyclopedia
The Mohegan Bluffs are large clay cliffs about 185 feet (56.4 m) high, located on the southern shore of Block Island
. They got their name because the battle of the Niantic
and the Mohegan
took place here in the mid 16th century. The battle was over supremacy of the island, and the intruding Mohegans were forced over the cliffs to their death by the native Niantic.
These cliffs are a beautiful site, and can be observed from the top, where visitors can look out for miles on the Atlantic Ocean
or visitors can climb down the steep staircase of over 100 steps and view them from the beach (also known as Corn Cove).
The visiting times are from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Visitors usually spend the day here tanning on the beach, swimming in the ocean, walking their dogs, or simply admiring the cliffs.
Through the years, the Mohegan Bluffs have eroded about 250 feet (76.2 m), and because of this, the Block Island Southeast Light
house had to be moved back about 360 feet (109.7 m) to keep it from tumbling into the ocean.
Block Island
Block Island is part of the U.S. state of Rhode Island and is located in the Atlantic Ocean approximately south of the coast of Rhode Island, east of Montauk Point on Long Island, and is separated from the Rhode Island mainland by Block Island Sound. The United States Census Bureau defines Block...
. They got their name because the battle of the Niantic
Niantic (tribe)
The Niantic, or in their own language, the Nehântick or Nehantucket were a tribe of New England Native Americans, who were living in Connecticut and Rhode Island during the early colonial period. Due to intrusions of the Pequot, the Niantic were divided into an eastern and western division...
and the Mohegan
Mohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
took place here in the mid 16th century. The battle was over supremacy of the island, and the intruding Mohegans were forced over the cliffs to their death by the native Niantic.
These cliffs are a beautiful site, and can be observed from the top, where visitors can look out for miles on the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
or visitors can climb down the steep staircase of over 100 steps and view them from the beach (also known as Corn Cove).
The visiting times are from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Visitors usually spend the day here tanning on the beach, swimming in the ocean, walking their dogs, or simply admiring the cliffs.
Through the years, the Mohegan Bluffs have eroded about 250 feet (76.2 m), and because of this, the Block Island Southeast Light
Block Island Southeast Light
Block Island Southeast Light is a lighthouse located on the southeastern shore of Block Island, Rhode Island. The lighthouse signals sea traffic coming from the Atlantic Ocean into the waters of Block Island and Long Island Sound, and remains an active navigational aid to sea vessels. It was...
house had to be moved back about 360 feet (109.7 m) to keep it from tumbling into the ocean.