Abandoned hospitals are truly the stuff of nightmares. From the long corridors to the rusted equipment, these sites are laden with paranormal activity. These abandoned hospital and asylum buildings exist across the country; however, there seem to be an unusual amount of them in the state of New York alone. While these places were all created in hopes of treating patients with all sorts of mental and physical illnesses, oftentimes the care was not adequate and the result was fatal. The following sites exist either as completely abandoned places in New York which have diminished significantly over the past century. You won’t soon forget your visit to any of them.

  1. Roosevelt Island Smallpox Castle

Amit Gupta/flickr The first on this list of abandoned places in New York is the Roosevelt Island Smallpox Castle. The name of this abandoned hospital is enough to conjure up intrigue. The structure was completed in 1865 in its unique Gothic-revival style. The hospital was in operation for only 19 years, and in that time saw nearly 7,000 patients. The site was relocated in 1875 due to growing population and the original building was abandoned. Thanks to the Landmarks Preservation Committee, this is the only landmarked ruin in the entire state. Today, visitors can only visit the outside, as the inside has begun to disintegrate. Roosevelt Island, New York, NY 10044, USA

  1. Creedmoor Psychiatric Center

Nick Normal/flickr The Creedmoor campus in New York was built in 1912 in Queens Village as the Farm Colony of Brooklyn State Hospital. Building 25 was reserved for the mentally-ill. By 1960, the campus housed nearly 7,000 patients. Numbers began to dwindle with the development of medications. Today building 25 (not pictured above) has actually been taken over by pigeons. This peculiar phenomenon is especially troubling. Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, 79-25 Winchester Blvd, Queens, NY 11427, USA

  1. Bayley Seton Hospital

Tommy Miles/flickr The Bayley Seton Hospital is an impressive 20-acre campus located on the North Shore of Staten Island. 8 of the 12 original buildings have been completely abandoned since the complex opened in the 1830s. Its original purpose was to house sailors who were injured or ailing. The site remains relatively abandoned and a fence protects the property. Staten Island, NY, USA

  1. Seaview Hospital

H.L.I.T./flickr Built in 1905, Seaview Hospital was one of the largest tuberculosis sanatoriums in the country. It is now registered as a National Historic Landmark and can be found on Staten Island. The district includes 37 buildings, a few of which are still in operation today. Most of its buildings stand abandoned with eerie interiors such as the one photographed above. Staten Island, NY, USA

  1. Buffalo State Hospital

Michael Cramer/flickr Buffalo State Hospital is another abandoned asylum. This one was designed by the famous Henry Hobson Richardson. The hospital closed in the mid-1970s, although tours are given for those interested in wandering the haunted grounds. The dramatic windows and towers create a particularly chilling vision at night. State Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA

  1. Rockland State Psychiatric Center

Wikipedia Rockland State Psychiatric Center was at one time one of the largest in the entire state. The center was established in 1927, and by 1959 had increased its occupation to nearly 9000. Visitors today will notice that only a portion of this hospital is currently in use. Most of the buildings are crumbling and the rooms are left in eerie abandonment. Like many hospitals of the time, it was not unusual for doctors to perform lobotomies on patients. Rockland Psychiatric Center, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA

  1. King’s Park Psychiatric Center

Wikipedia Rounding out this list of abandoned places in New York is the King’s Park Psychiatric Center. King’s Park was in operation from 1885 until 1996, when the facility was closed down by the state of New York. The asylum took a revolutionary stand against over-crowding and maltreatment of patients. Instead, those who stayed here kept busy with farm work that was considered therapeutic. Unfortunately, the effects of World War II caused a dramatic increase in patients. Dangerous and invasive techniques were used in hopes of providing quicker relief to those suffering from mental anguish. Population eventually dwindled and all that remains today are the abandoned hallways. Kings Park, NY 11754, USA

So the next time you search for “abandoned asylum near me,” these are sure to appear on the list!

Amit Gupta/flickr

The first on this list of abandoned places in New York is the Roosevelt Island Smallpox Castle. The name of this abandoned hospital is enough to conjure up intrigue. The structure was completed in 1865 in its unique Gothic-revival style. The hospital was in operation for only 19 years, and in that time saw nearly 7,000 patients. The site was relocated in 1875 due to growing population and the original building was abandoned. Thanks to the Landmarks Preservation Committee, this is the only landmarked ruin in the entire state. Today, visitors can only visit the outside, as the inside has begun to disintegrate.

Roosevelt Island, New York, NY 10044, USA

Nick Normal/flickr

The Creedmoor campus in New York was built in 1912 in Queens Village as the Farm Colony of Brooklyn State Hospital. Building 25 was reserved for the mentally-ill. By 1960, the campus housed nearly 7,000 patients. Numbers began to dwindle with the development of medications. Today building 25 (not pictured above) has actually been taken over by pigeons. This peculiar phenomenon is especially troubling.

Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, 79-25 Winchester Blvd, Queens, NY 11427, USA

Tommy Miles/flickr

The Bayley Seton Hospital is an impressive 20-acre campus located on the North Shore of Staten Island. 8 of the 12 original buildings have been completely abandoned since the complex opened in the 1830s. Its original purpose was to house sailors who were injured or ailing. The site remains relatively abandoned and a fence protects the property.

Staten Island, NY, USA

H.L.I.T./flickr

Built in 1905, Seaview Hospital was one of the largest tuberculosis sanatoriums in the country. It is now registered as a National Historic Landmark and can be found on Staten Island. The district includes 37 buildings, a few of which are still in operation today. Most of its buildings stand abandoned with eerie interiors such as the one photographed above.

Michael Cramer/flickr

Buffalo State Hospital is another abandoned asylum. This one was designed by the famous Henry Hobson Richardson. The hospital closed in the mid-1970s, although tours are given for those interested in wandering the haunted grounds. The dramatic windows and towers create a particularly chilling vision at night.

State Hospital, Buffalo, NY, USA

Wikipedia

Rockland State Psychiatric Center was at one time one of the largest in the entire state. The center was established in 1927, and by 1959 had increased its occupation to nearly 9000. Visitors today will notice that only a portion of this hospital is currently in use. Most of the buildings are crumbling and the rooms are left in eerie abandonment. Like many hospitals of the time, it was not unusual for doctors to perform lobotomies on patients.

Rockland Psychiatric Center, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA

Rounding out this list of abandoned places in New York is the King’s Park Psychiatric Center. King’s Park was in operation from 1885 until 1996, when the facility was closed down by the state of New York. The asylum took a revolutionary stand against over-crowding and maltreatment of patients. Instead, those who stayed here kept busy with farm work that was considered therapeutic. Unfortunately, the effects of World War II caused a dramatic increase in patients. Dangerous and invasive techniques were used in hopes of providing quicker relief to those suffering from mental anguish. Population eventually dwindled and all that remains today are the abandoned hallways.

Kings Park, NY 11754, USA

Have you been to any of these abandoned asylums? Which ones? What did you think? How scary were they? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below.

If you’re fascinated by abandoned medical facilities, you won’t want to miss learning about the 10 Most Haunted Asylums In The U.S.

If you’re looking for something totally different to do in New York City, check out this video:

 

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Out and About in New York January 28, 2023 Lysa Allman-Baldwin What are some of the historic landmarks in New York State?

Montauk Point Light – Located in the town of the same name, Montauk Point Light was New York’s very first lighthouse. Kleinhans Music Hall – Located in Buffalo, Kleinhans Music Hall is the home of the renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Kykuit, The Rockefeller Home – Located in Sleepy Hollow, the home overlooks the Hudson River and encompasses over 40 rooms. Fort Crown Point Historic Site, – The fort was built in the 1700s as a military stronghold and is one of the places where the British Army was defeated.

Check out these other historic landmarks in New York State. What are some of the best tours in New York?

The New York State Capitol Tour – This tour in the capital building in Albany is rich with history and the architecture is magnificent. The Rolling Hills Asylum – Located in East Bethany this is one of New York’s many abandoned asylums and is known for regular ghost sightings. The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture – Located in Tarrytown, this center sits on 80 acres formerly belonging to the Rockefeller estate and focuses on sustainable food systems.

Learn more about some of the best tours in New York. What is the history of the Empire State Building?

It encompasses 103 floors. It reaches up to 1,454 feet including the spire and antenna. It was built in the Art Deco style. There is an observatory on the 102 floor that also has an interactive museum.

Learn more about the history of the Empire State Building.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Out and About in New York

January 28, 2023

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

What are some of the historic landmarks in New York State?

Montauk Point Light – Located in the town of the same name, Montauk Point Light was New York’s very first lighthouse. Kleinhans Music Hall – Located in Buffalo, Kleinhans Music Hall is the home of the renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Kykuit, The Rockefeller Home – Located in Sleepy Hollow, the home overlooks the Hudson River and encompasses over 40 rooms. Fort Crown Point Historic Site, – The fort was built in the 1700s as a military stronghold and is one of the places where the British Army was defeated.

Check out these other historic landmarks in New York State. What are some of the best tours in New York?

The New York State Capitol Tour – This tour in the capital building in Albany is rich with history and the architecture is magnificent. The Rolling Hills Asylum – Located in East Bethany this is one of New York’s many abandoned asylums and is known for regular ghost sightings. The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture – Located in Tarrytown, this center sits on 80 acres formerly belonging to the Rockefeller estate and focuses on sustainable food systems.

Learn more about some of the best tours in New York. What is the history of the Empire State Building?

It encompasses 103 floors. It reaches up to 1,454 feet including the spire and antenna. It was built in the Art Deco style. There is an observatory on the 102 floor that also has an interactive museum.

Learn more about the history of the Empire State Building.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

  • Montauk Point Light – Located in the town of the same name, Montauk Point Light was New York’s very first lighthouse.
  • Kleinhans Music Hall – Located in Buffalo, Kleinhans Music Hall is the home of the renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
  • Kykuit, The Rockefeller Home – Located in Sleepy Hollow, the home overlooks the Hudson River and encompasses over 40 rooms.
  • Fort Crown Point Historic Site, – The fort was built in the 1700s as a military stronghold and is one of the places where the British Army was defeated.

Check out these other historic landmarks in New York State.

What are some of the best tours in New York?

  • The New York State Capitol Tour – This tour in the capital building in Albany is rich with history and the architecture is magnificent.
  • The Rolling Hills Asylum – Located in East Bethany this is one of New York’s many abandoned asylums and is known for regular ghost sightings.
  • The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture – Located in Tarrytown, this center sits on 80 acres formerly belonging to the Rockefeller estate and focuses on sustainable food systems.

Learn more about some of the best tours in New York.

What is the history of the Empire State Building?

  • It encompasses 103 floors.
  • It reaches up to 1,454 feet including the spire and antenna.
  • It was built in the Art Deco style.
  • There is an observatory on the 102 floor that also has an interactive museum.

Learn more about the history of the Empire State Building.