The Renwick Ruin, resembling an ancient castle lost to time, appears along the East River as a crumbling, medieval-like apparition, something not quite believable.
Sitting between two new additions on Roosevelt Island — the campus of Cornell Tech and FDR Four Freedoms Park — these captivating ruins, enrobed in beautiful ivy, tell the story of a dark period in New York City history.
The island between Manhattan and Queens was once known as Blackwell’s Island, a former pastoral escape that transformed into the ominous ‘city of asylums’, the destination for the poor, the elderly and the criminal during the 19th century.
During this period, the island embodied every outdated idea about human physical and mental health, and vast political corruption ensured that the inmates and patients of the island would suffer.
In 1856 the island added a Smallpox Hospital to its notorious roster, designed by acclaimed architect James Renwick Jr (of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral fame) in a Gothic Revival style that captivates visitors to this day — even if the building is in an advanced state of dilapidation.
What makes the Renwick Ruin so entrancing? How did this marvelous bit of architecture manage to survive in any form into present day?
PLUS: The grand story of the island — from a hideous execution in 1829 to the modern delights of one of New York City’s most interesting neighborhoods.
For more information on Roosevelt Island history:
Roosevelt Island Historical Society
I also highly recommend the book Damnation Island: Poor, Sick, Mad, & Criminal in 19th-Century New York by Stacy Horn which tells the story of Blackwell’s Island, institution by institution.
And please check out this great video about Roosevelt Island from 1978:
Historic sites on Roosevelt Island to visit (from north to south):
Nellie Bly Monument “The Girl Puzzle”
Historic Visitor Center Kiosk and Roosevelt Island Tram
Smallpox Hospital (aka Renwick Ruin)
The entire site of FDR Four Freedoms State Park is located on landfill. Want proof?
FURTHER LISTENING
After listening to this episode on the Renwick Ruin on Roosevelt Island, jump back into these earlier Bowery Boys podcasts which discuss similar themes or situations from the show:
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8 replies on “The Ruins of Roosevelt Island: The macabre history of New York’s “city of asylums””
Did you know? Hilarious to all VC Grads, Renwick Ruin was the inspiration for his design for Vassar’s Main Building with an added Mansard roof.
Loved this. I remember seeing it lit up actually! I wondered all about it! Glad to hear the reason got it. This is s fascinating story. I know someone who lives on Roosevelt Is.
I’ve seen the lighthouse from Carl Schurz Park. Thx
This is quite remarkable story and really educating !!!
Thanks for bringing the history into life ! Guys,you are badass!!! Am your huge fan !!! Keep up the awesome work !!!
I grew up on Roosevelt Island between 1979 and 1989. As a rebel youth we would explore the abandoned buildings. It was a privilege to be part of such great history.
Can anyone provide me a detailed accounting of, Boss Tweed’s incarceration on Blackwell’s Island. Looking for in depth info other than published (and illustrated) Harper’s Magazine article on the subject.
Thanks,
We went there as late nights as teenagers . Actually went to the morg in the basement and would pull
The body slabs out of the wall . Crazy !
I grew up in Queens in the mid 1950s, directly across from Welfare island. As a child, my Dad took me to the park right on the river where I gazed, fascinated, at the island. It was overrun by nature seeking re reclaim it, and no old structures were visible except when crossing the 59th Street Bridge. The island seemed haunted and full of dark secrets.
There should be more photos of it before it became developed, when it was a pastoral haven. I’ve only found a color postcard of that era.
At night I’d lie awake, listening to the sounds of the tugboats.
I left NYC in 1971, never to return. My fondest memories are of Greenwich Village in 1966.