A Tiny Dream on the River
In the 1950s, the Sizeland family purchased a speck of land in the Thousand Islands region of New York with a unique goal—to build a holiday retreat on what is now called Just Room Enough Island.
Measuring about 3,300 square feet, the plot barely fits a house, a tree, and a few shrubs. Yet, it remains fully inhabited and legally recognized as the smallest inhabited island in the world.
Red House on the Borderline
Located on the Saint Lawrence River, Just Room Enough Island is part of Alexandria Bay in Jefferson County, New York.
It lies between Heart Island and Imperial Isle, near the U.S.-Canada border. From nearby Boldt Castle, the red-roofed cottage is visible, standing only feet from the water on all sides.
A Record-Breaking Plot
Before this, the title of the smallest inhabited island belonged to Bishop Rock in the Atlantic. That changed in 1982 when Bishop Rock’s lighthouse became automated, ending its human presence.
The Sizelands’ decision to build and regularly use their riverside home kept Just Room Enough Island eligible for the record.
One Step from a Swim
The island’s dimensions make it hard to navigate without getting wet. In 2010, The Washington Post noted, “One misstep and you’re swimming.”
Despite this, the house has remained intact for over half a century. With no room for expansion, the island’s appeal lies in its novelty, serenity, and the surrounding waters of the Saint Lawrence.
Just Room Enough Island lives up to its name: a red-roofed house, a tree, a pair of chairs, and not much else.
Located in the Thousand Islands region of New York, it holds the title of the world’s smallest inhabited island—and it’s no bigger than a tennis court…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/xVH3fN8NV1
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) May 26, 2025