Check Out This Mysterious Forbidden Island In New York Where No One Has Set Foot In Half A Century

A haunting relic of the past, hiding in plain sight near the city that never sleeps

Jesse

• Published in News
• September 15, 2024

In the bustling heart of New York City, where every inch of land seems accounted for, there lies a mysterious piece of history that most have never heard of. Hidden in plain sight, just a stone's throw away from Manhattan, are two small, forbidden islands that have been abandoned for more than 60 years.

North Brother Island, along with its smaller sibling, South Brother Island, sits quietly between the South Bronx and Rikers Island. Despite being surrounded by one of the busiest cities in the world, these islands have been left to decay.

For those with a taste for adventure, the idea of visiting these islands might sound intriguing. But even if you’re eager to explore their overgrown pathways and crumbling ruins, you won’t get far without permission. Access is strictly controlled by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and stepping foot on either island without clearance is illegal.

North Brother Island has a haunting history. It once housed a hospital and a quarantine station. Now, the island stands frozen in time, slowly being reclaimed by nature.

If this has piqued your curiosity and you’re eager to uncover more about the haunting history of North Brother Island, scroll down to where the juicy details are.

This abandoned island has been off-limits for over 60 years

The island’s history is as strange as it is tragic. From 1881 to 1943, North Brother Island was home to Riverside Hospital. 

The hospital was used to treat patients with highly contagious diseases like tuberculosis, smallpox, and typhoid fever— The infamous Typhoid Mary herself was quarantined there. The hospital was eventually abandoned, but the island wasn’t done serving a purpose. 

During WWII, it housed returning veterans, and later in the 1950s, it became a drug rehabilitation center for troubled youth. But by 1964, even that closed, and the island was left to rot.

The city’s Parks and Rec page details the history as follows:

“Humans occupied North Brother Island for 150 years. The island housed the Riverside Hospital from 1881-1943, WWII veterans’ housing from 1946-1951, and a youth drug rehabilitation center from 1952-1964.

“The island was also the site of the General Slocum disaster in 1904. The primary tenant on the island was the City-owned and operated Riverside Hospital, including the Tuberculosis Sanatorium and pavilions for designated illnesses, laboratories, as well as homes and dormitory facilities for doctors, nurses, and other staff members.”

Today, North Brother Island is a crumbling time capsule. Its twenty-five dilapidated buildings sit abandoned, overtaken by vines and trees, slowly decaying in the shadow of the city.

Inside the crumbling walls of New York's long-forgotten Island

But while the human history has faded, the island has become a haven for wildlife. In fact, the main reason it remains closed to the public is because it’s a protected nesting ground for herons, egrets, and other bird species. 

After nearly being wiped out in the 19th century due to hunting and pollution, these birds have made a comeback, and North Brother Island is now one of their safest habitats.

If you’re itching to visit this haunting piece of New York history, you’ll need a compelling academic or scientific reason – and a permit to go with it. Otherwise, North Brother Island will remain one of New York's most intriguing and inaccessible secrets.

Jesse