The Twin Islands, part of Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, were originally inhabited by the Siwanoy people, a subset of the Lenape nation. The islands were valued for their natural resources, including fishing and shellfishing, and probably served as ceremonial sites. On 27 June 1654, the Siwanoy formally sold the Twin Islands, along with much of the surrounding land, to Thomas Pell as part of the Pell Purchase. During the early colonial period, the islands changed hands, sometimes known as Pell Island or Pelican Island, reflecting the area's evolving European ownership and use.