Forested views from a lower floor day room at Sea View Children’s Hospital.
At the turn of the twentieth century, tuberculosis was the second leading cause of death in the city and a major world health concern known to disproportionately affect the urban poor. In New York City, two-thirds of the 30,000 afflicted were dependent on city agencies for treatment. Growing concern from charitable organizations spurred the establishment of New York’s first public hospital designed exclusively to treat tuberculosis, care for the “sick, poor, and friendless,” and keep the epidemic under some measure of control by isolating sufferers from general hospitals. If you were diagnosed with tuberculosis in the early 1900s, your prognosis was grim. Lacking a cure, the only treatments thought to ease symptoms were fresh air, rest, sunshine, and good nutrition. A pleasant view was also considered essential for staving off depression. For this reason, hospital planners settled on a privately owned 25-acre hilltop parcel in rural Staten Island called “Ocean View,” just across from the already established New York City Farm Colony.
The plot was surrounded by a vast expanse of forested land (known as the Greenbelt today) which enabled the hospital grounds to expand as necessary. When Sea View Hospital was dedicated on November 12, 1913, the New York Times called it “the largest and finest hospital ever built for the care and treatment of those who suffer from tuberculosis.” The Commissioner of Public Charities claimed it was “a magnificent institution that is vast, ingenious, practical, convenient, sanitary, and beautiful, the greatest hospital ever planned in the world wide fight against the “white plague.” Though the new facilities effectively eased the suffering of tuberculosis patients and provided housing for the poor, little could be done to actually save lives in the long term. Most eventually succumbed to the disease.
Saplings take root in a light-filled solarium on the top floor. (Prints Available)
Two window fixtures had vanished, offering an unobstructed view of the surrounding woodlands.
Doorway into an open-air pavilion.
Hospital beds, cribs, and equipment left behind in a day room on a lower floor. (Prints Available)
In 1943, the development of the antibiotic streptomycin at Rutgers University led to a series of breakthroughs in the treatment of tuberculosis over the next decade, and much of that research took place at Sea View Hospital. The enthusiasm over these dramatic developments is captured in a 1952 report by the Department of Hospitals: “Euphoria swept Seaview Hospital. Patients consigned to death at the hands of the White Plague celebrated a new lease on life by dancing in the halls.” The transition was swift. By 1961, Sea View’s pavilions were practically emptied as patients miraculously recovered as a result of the new therapies. Today, a long-term care facility operates in several of the buildings and some structures have been repurposed by community agencies and civic groups, but much of the Sea View Hospital campus lies abandoned.
Past a fenced enclosure delineating the active section of the hospital, the grounds give way to the bramble-choked wilds of the Staten Island Greenbelt. The creepy ruins of the old women’s pavilions situated on the northern border are a popular detour on hikes from the neighboring boy scout camp. To the east lies the imposing Children’s Hospital, completed in 1938 and abandoned in 1974. Its spacious, window-lined solariums are typical of earlier Sea View wards, flanked on either side by open-air porches which were occupied by recovering patients 24 hours a day during the height of the epidemic. In an otherwise clinical Landmarks Preservation Commission report published in 1985, the researcher notes that “the building rises from a deep slope… Wooded surroundings, particularly dense to the east and south of the building, enhance the sense of isolation.” The view he’s describing is indeed one of New York City’s most surreal (pictured below in 2012).
The ominous Children’s Hospital, seen from a hilltop on the grounds of Sea View Hospital.
Reuse of the structure seems extremely unlikely given the large number of abandoned buildings within the active hospital complex that would make better candidates for restoration. Area conservationists are fighting to keep the surrounding woodlands protected from developers by making it a permanent part of the Greenbelt network of natural areas, and the building itself is nominally protected from demolition as part of Sea View Hospital’s historic district designation. That doesn’t mean that the building won’t serve a purpose as it continues to crumble. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Staten Island teenagers have a long history of voraciously exploring (and vandalizing) their local ruins. With the renovation of the Willowbrook State School in the 1990s, the later demolition of the Staten Island Monastery, and the impending restoration of the New York City Farm Colony, the isolated, under-the-radar Children’s Hospital may be next in line as the site of that requisite rite of passage. Only time will tell.
There’s little to suggest the building was used exclusively as a children’s hospital in its last years of operation.
Even the restrooms had windows for observation.
Drifts of plaster pile up on a table outside the darkroom.
The upright piano, an abandoned hospital staple.
“Dixie Cup for Dentures.” The name says it all.
A storage room in the attic had been pillaged.
A steep staircase led to the upper reaches of the utility floors.
Lowers floors were boarded up, which always allows for the eeriest light. (Prints Available)
The last room I came to was the most surprising–a boarded-up dayroom piled several feet high with hospital records.
IN OTHER NEWS… my friend Oriana Leckert‘s book “Brooklyn Spaces” is out this week. We’re a bit like kindred spirits, Oriana and I, but she goes more for the crowded, lively, and creative than the empty, eerie, and decrepit. The (50!) places profiled in the book show the authentic, human side of the global phenomenon that is “Brooklyn cool,” highlighting the heartfelt endeavors of a wave of culture makers that migrated to the borough for cheap rent and fashioned a network of bustling performance venues, art enclaves, and meeting places out of Brooklyn’s post-industrial landscape. Her obvious passion for offbeat museums, community gardens, communal living spaces, and out-there artist residencies is beyond infectious. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy! And head to what I’m sure will be a raucous, sweaty launch party on May 30th.
AbandonedNYC 
Nice post, Will, thanks…I am always partial to Staten Island posts.
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Posted by Frank Brennan | 5-20-15., 8:00 pmThanks Frank! I’ve been spending a lot of time on Staten Island lately, more to come!
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Posted by Will Ellis | 5-20-15., 8:18 pmThis is where my Grandmother died in January 1930. She had tuberculosis. I bet her records might be among those piled so high. too bad no ever rescued them. Thank you for this page.
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Posted by Laura Silvero | 7-15-17., 9:02 pmcan you help me am writing a book about my mother who was a child born their during her mothers stay in 1932. Do you know how i cant get any records.
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Posted by Anonymous | 11-4-19., 3:11 pmLove your post. I have followed the slide of decay of this place for 10+ years. Loved every year of it. I have a question for you? Do you know of a island that had a hospital on it that had terracotta tiles done by a famous artist? I use to visit a site that covered it but that was over 10 years ago. I haven’t seen nor heard about it since. The tiles were beautiful and were a rare display of his work. I think it might have been a place for women and children. Thank you for sharing your work with us.
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Posted by Gwen Edgett | 5-20-15., 8:09 pmFunny you mention that place–it’s actually part of sea view hospital, one of the four large abandoned pavilions in the active section. I think the island they referenced was Staten Island, ha. I went inside years ago and the mosaics were still intact. Security is pretty tight around there.
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Posted by Will Ellis | 5-20-15., 8:14 pmWOW! You were quick. I thought it might be, but it was so long ago and I really hadn’t seen nor heard anything about it since. The story of the place drew me in but the tiles hooked me. I always thought it such a shame no one was saving them or that they might get trashed by vandals. Wasn’t there also a island known as Stink Island because of all the fish processing done there. Maybe I’m thinking of someplace else. I was out of touch for while and am now playing a game of catch up. I really enjoy the post I get on your site. Thank you.
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Posted by Gwen Edgett | 5-20-15., 8:25 pmwould really like to discuss this place with you if you have a moment…. It’s regarding a film project: My email is toofgangarmy@gmail.com
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Posted by Bart | 8-19-15., 1:59 pmSeaview Hospital Sanatorium, which also had the Children’s Hospital on its property.
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Posted by Rock J Spinelli | 8-29-17., 6:24 pmlove to talk with yu I am writing book about my mother who was born there at the childrens hospital in 1932
lcontact toni.mitchell1962@gmail.com
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Posted by toni hall mittchell | 11-4-19., 3:17 pmThe older eight (8) pavilions at Seaview Hospital are what you are describing.
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Posted by Rock J Spinelli | 10-15-18., 3:04 pmWill, Loved this post. Can we go on some adventures soon again? I want to go back to Essex Hospital. I hope you’re well and that the book is selling a bajillion copies.
>
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Posted by LouAnne Brickhouse | 5-20-15., 10:06 pmI lived close to both the Farm Colony and Sea View Hospital and never understood how the city could allow this and other buildings go to disrepair. Presently, the former Seaman’s Institute, Marine Hospital, Public Health Service Hospital and Bayley Seton is now almost abandoned except for a few outpatient facilities. The first two of several of my foot surgeries were performed here. My father was a patient here decades ago. A few the oldest buildings are in disrepair and may become candidates for demolition. About three years ago, the Island lost its Iconic Castle, the former Smith’s Infirmary, later Staten Island University Hospital. It was literally falling apart. A campaign to save it was unsuccessful.
The city needs affordable housing. Why not rehabilitate these buildings to preserve their legacies?
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Posted by Claudia Toback | 5-21-15., 9:11 amHi Claudia,
I’m currently writing a book on Sea View and the nurses who worked there, and I’m looking to talk with people who were either patients there or had relatives who were patients. I would really like to talk with you about your father. If you are interested, please contact me at the below address.
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Posted by Maria Smilios | 4-17-17., 10:31 pmI was a patient at 12 years of age. I am now 77 years old, retired and living in Florida.
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Posted by Mary Rodriguez | 11-10-19., 1:51 pmHello Maria, did you end up writing your book? Such a curiosity this abandoned place. Can you point me in the direction of management who might give tour of the facility? Does anyone do guided tours, or is it all fenced in? Would love to learn more about the hospital.
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Posted by Barb | 4-1-21., 1:33 pmGreat place to explore, sadly I did not get near this building just the other ones. I think a re-visit may be in order.
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Posted by UrbexJunkie | 9-25-15., 9:55 amIs it not fenced in? Is anyone patrolling the grounds?
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Posted by Barb | 4-1-21., 1:34 pmYes !
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Posted by Anonymous | 4-1-21., 3:40 pmDo you know of an author who has written on the hospital, who might give a small group tour?
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Posted by Barb | 4-1-21., 3:45 pmCheck with Health and Hospitals Corporation, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY
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Posted by Anonymous | 4-1-21., 3:48 pmTY!!
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Posted by Anonymous | 4-1-21., 3:49 pmWould love to contact the author. If you have an email address or social media contact. LMK 🙂 TY!
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Posted by Barb | 4-1-21., 3:49 pmHi Barb, I’m finishing a book on Sea View –will be published next year. You can check out my website to learn more about it mariasmilios.com or contact me at maria.smilos2@gmail.com. Health and Hospitals is fairly useless–I’ve been dealing (or trying to deal with them for years and with the pandemic they are more a mess.). Shoot me an email, and I might be able to help you
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Posted by mariasmilios | 4-1-21., 3:57 pm@999oneandahalfevil check out my shots at the bottom of my profile
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Posted by Anonymous | 10-20-15., 12:58 amVisted this place two days ago with some friends and unfortunately all the entrances were either rusted shut or locked. Still a beautiful scenery and sight to be infront of the hospital. You do have to be carefull as the first time i went over the summer their were some guards around the area even when we went recently almost got caught by the front entrance as their is an active hospital across from it .We then went to the farm colony near by and noticed that they are starting to concreate the entrances to some of the houses that are abanded around their
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Posted by bryan | 12-30-15., 12:14 pmI worked in this building when it was in full operation as a children’s hospital/preventorium.
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Posted by Rock Spinelli | 4-19-16., 12:03 pmHi Rock,
I’m currently writing a book on Seaview to be published in 2018 by Macmillan. I would love to talk with you about your experiences working there.
Please email me at maria.smilios2@gmail.com
thanks,
Maria
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Posted by mar | 11-11-16., 2:01 pmI was one of the last TB patients there in about 1968, I was 3-4 years old but I still remember it well. There were just two of us, me and a childhood friend. I think we were there in isolation for a couple of months. Yes, it was already creepy.
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Posted by Cyrus | 1-13-17., 3:26 pmHello everyone!!
I was wandering if it was still possible to get into this building?
Your picture are very nice by the way
Thanks for any help
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Posted by Justine | 1-26-17., 6:44 pmThe buildings are in deplorable condition, asbestos, etc. In additon, you would have to make arrangments with management to be allowed to make a tour of the complex.
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Posted by Anonymous | 9-16-17., 6:29 pmAny idea who specifically i can contact?
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Posted by Anonymous | 9-16-17., 9:22 pmFor anyone wondering, yes it is still possible to get into the children’s ward, as well as the women’s pavilions. The active area is on private property but if you want to sneak in (NO VANDALISM AND NO DESTROYING ANYTHING PLEASE), I can give you some tips. This is one of my favorite urban exploration spots. Absolutely beautiful and such a fascinating history. And yes the tunnels underneath the women’s pavilions still exist.
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Posted by Emma | 11-10-21., 3:14 pmHey there, I’ve been to the quad bulidings in the area but I would love to know how to get into the main white structure that sits alone, all the times I’ve went its been boarded up good. my channel is : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRDscOEUdKstUM6pag4f59Q/videos
I dont vandalize or anything. I just want to finally get to explore that building.
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Posted by bryan | 11-11-21., 8:42 amHi-
I’m currently writing a book on Sea View and the nurses who worked there. If anyone worked there or was a patient there or knew someone who was treated there, I would love to talk with you.
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Posted by Maria Smilios | 4-17-17., 10:34 pmhi i had aunt tt
that worked there and my mother was born there. please contact me
toni
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Posted by toni mitchell | 11-4-19., 3:23 pmIs there a contact number or email? I know a photographer who would like to take pictures.
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Posted by Jessica | 7-24-18., 11:07 pmI understand that the dancing in the halls was a result of a side effect (anti depressant) of a new TB drug they used….
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Posted by jocelyn mel | 10-21-19., 11:39 amTm
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Posted by Anonymous | 12-5-22., 1:02 pm1
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