Located in New York City between the mainland Bronx and Island of Rikers is the deserted North Brother Island. Now rejected, Riverside Hospital was constructed on the Island by the state government of New York to serve as a containment center for those suffering from contagious diseases

Rise of North Brother Island

North Brother Island was not known by many until 1885 when the state of New York bought it intending to build Riverside Hospital. Due to its prime location away from the busy city and neighboring towns, it was well suited for the job as a contagious diseases quarantine center. It served its purpose well as it was home to “Typhoid” Mary Mallon, the infamous cook who infected more than 25 people with typhoid bacteria. Later in the mid 1900s, the hospital closed. It was then re-opened after World War II as a home for veterans in 1940 and home for heroin addicts soon after. 23 years later it was closed permanently and now decaying for over 5 decades.

Hazards at the Island

Traveling to the Island is dangerous as the waterways have not been used for over 60 years. Poisonous plants and dangerous animals that can cause harm to unexpecting visitors dominate the island. On top of that, the building on the island is a risk to health as paints used on them, especially lead paints are extremely dangerous while decaying.

What is the current situation of the Island? Does it still stand? 

Now rejected, Riverside Hospital still stands though most of its beauty is gone as it continues to fall into pieces. At the shores, you can still see boats that were used to ferry patients and visitors to and from the Hospital. Overgrown plants that might likely harbor dangerous animals dominate the remnants of the building.

Is North Brother Island open for tours to the public?

The island is not open to public visitors to tour as it is not safe. Waterways that were initially used to access the Island have been out of use for over 50 years making them unsafe to use. The local state government allows only educational tourists to access the place but under the company of guards to keep them safe in case of anything. I would advise you to only visit the place under permission as it may be dangerous to venture into the Island.

What’s next for the Island are there plans of reviving it to its former glory?

The property is still under New York State ownership who have currently not made it public that they have plans of doing anything with the Island. Their current and most important priority at the moment is to keep people away from the deserted Island.