the company immediately advertised trips to the renamed lowell island, with the first trip leaving from phillips wharf in salem on august 15, 1851. the initial day was successful, but entertaining the customers was difficult because, "at the time of the purchase of the island the only building upon it was one used by fishermen as a fish-house." however, "this was altered and enlarged to serve as a place of resort and entertainment for visitors. it was partitioned off so as to accommodate as many as possible in a given space." encouraged by the turnout, the owners raised money to build the lowell island hotel.