Island in San Francisco Bay, California, United States of America
Red Rock Island (variously known as Moleta,[1]Molate Rock,[2] and Golden Rock[2]) is an uninhabited, 5.8-acre (2.3ha) island in the San Francisco Bay located just south of the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge.[3] The property is the only privately owned island in San Francisco Bay.[3] The boundaries of three counties – San Francisco, Marin, and Contra Costa – converge on the island.[4] The San Francisco County portion is an incorporated part of the city of San Francisco since it is a consolidated city-county; the Contra Costa portion (most of the island) is incorporated inside the city limits of Richmond.[5]
The mountain of bright red earth and rock is 500ft (150m) across from east to west, 750ft (230m) from north to south, and rises out of the bay to a height of 151ft (46m).[1] It is surrounded by some of the deepest water in the North Bay, nearly 60ft (18m) deep.
The island was once mined for manganese. It was privately purchased in the 1920s. After a series of owners, David Glickman, at the time a San Francisco attorney and part-time real estate buyer, purchased the island in 1964 for US$49,500.[3]
In the 1980s, a plan was proposed (but never implemented) to remove the top half of the island (which would be sold for highway roadbed construction). The island would then be developed with a 10-story hotel and casino, and a yacht harbor on the lee (north) side. Water and power would be provided from lines connected to the San Rafael Bridge.[11]
In the 21st century, the island was placed on the market multiple times:
in June 2007, Glickman, at the time a gem dealer in Thailand, announced that Red Rock Island was for sale for US$10 million;[12]
in early 2012, the island was listed with a realtor at a price of US$5 million;[13][14]
in late 2023 Brock Durning, who inherited the island from his father, Mack Durning, placed the island on the market for US$25 million, first time this property was offered through a multiple listing service.[15]
No conservation groups or agencies have so far expressed interest in buying the island, though some have considered it.[3]
The island is mentioned and described as "Blue Island" in the novel The Circle by Dave Eggers.[16]
David Glickman (2007-07-13). "Bay Area Private Island Sold for $10M". Morning Edition (audio/transcript). Interviewed by Renee Montagne. National Public Radio. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Red_Rock_Island, and is written by contributors.
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