The original islands of Ducking Stool, Frazer's and Gallows were used in the early days of the colony for executions.

An accidental detonation on Hen Island resulting from a lightning strike broke windows throughout St. George's on 1 November 1812.

The only other buildings on the island are an office of HM Customs used to clear visiting yachts, and a new cruise ship terminal.

Ordnance Island was the starting and finishing point of Dodge Morgan's record-breaking[3] 1985–1986 non-stop, solo circumnavigation of the planet aboard the American Promise.

The Major Donald H. (Bob) Burns Memorial Park on the island includes the Desmond Hale Fountain statue of Admiral Sir George Somers (credited as the founder of Bermuda, and at the helm of the Sea Venture when she was driven on the reefs) which was unveiled by Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in 1984, during the 375th anniversary of the shipwrecking.