BONUS: Edgewood State Hospital
Edgewood State Hospital in Deer Park, Long Island functioned as both a psychiatric facility and a tuberculosis hospital just west of Pilgrim State Hospital and while it was demolished in the 1980s, small traces of it can still be found today. It also served as a treatment center for traumatized soldiers during World War II under the name Mason General. A government-sponsored documentary called Let There Be Light, which called attention to the struggles of veterans returning from war, was partially filmed there. The film was suppressed by the United States government for thirty years before it was finally screened at Cannes Film Festival in 1981. It has since been preserved by the Library of Congress and can be viewed on Amazon.
The large imposing main building of Edgewood was constantly on fire. It became a popular urban exploration spot for youth in the 1970s and 80s. An old, grainy video from 1986 shows what was left before the abandoned hospital was demolished in 1989. When the building was demolished, it was reportedly the largest demolition of state-owned property ever. Today, small remnants of Edgewood can be found scattered throughout the oak-brush plains preserve managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This plan can only be accessed with a permit. Remnants that have been found include rail tracks, lampposts, and fire hydrants.
Next, read about 10 of NYC’s Abandoned Hospitals and Asylums and 10 Abandoned Places to Discover in Manhattan
Get in touch with the author on Instagram @mjohnathonrich. This article was updated by Nicole Saraniero.