History In The Middle Of The East River - Roosevelt Island, NY

City Walks

May 10

In 1637, the Dutch governor Wouter van Twiller bought the this island from Native Americans, and the city acquired the island in 1828 and built a workhouse and penitentiary, which became notorious. The island was known as Blackwell’s Island and Welfare Island and finally becoming Roosevelt Island in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1973.

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The Strecker Memorial Laboratory located in Southpoint Park was built in 1892 and was considered the first institution in the US for pathological and bacteriological research funded by the Strecker family.

This Octagon Tower, now a part of a residential building, was once a part of the New York City Lunatic Asylum which opened in 1839. The asylum, was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis and at one point held 1,700 inmates.

In Southpoint Park

Damnation Island: Poor, Sick, Mad, and Criminal in 19th-Century New York

By Horn, Stacy

Enduring Ideals: Rockwell, Roosevelt & the Four Freedoms

By Plunkett, Stephanie Haboush, Kimble, James J.

Roosevelt Island (Images of America)

By Berdy, Judith, Roosevelt Island Historical society

The iconic Pepsi Cola sign in Long Island City as seen from the Island.

Located at the north tip of the Island is the Lighthouse, built in 1872

Originally built in 1888 as the Chapel of the Good Shepard Episcopal and designed by Frederick Clarke Withers is now the Good Shepard Community Ecumenical Center.

Looking towards Manhattan from underneath the Ed Kock (aka Queensboro or 59th Street) Bridge.

These are the ruins of the Smallpox Hospital, designed by James Renwick, Jr. and was opened in 1856. The 100-bed hospital remained open for 100 years but fell into repair once it closed.

The hospital ruins are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and designated a New York City Landmark four years later.

In the 1970s the island was connected to Manhattan by this aerial tramway system.

Rolling hills and the Manhattan skyline in the background

FDR Hope Memorial in Southpoint Park

What you should know:

Public restrooms are available.
The Island can be accessed from Manhattan by the tram or from a bridge at the end of 36th Ave in Queens.
You could spend a couple of hours here to entire day.
Parking can be difficult; check posted parking regulations signs.
There are walking trails in the FDR Four Freedoms State Park.
Walking is a great way to get around.
There are many restaurant options.

For more information: Roosevelt Island