14. Ellis Island South Side Hospitals
Hiding in plain sight, the abandoned South Side Hospitals on Ellis Island were one of the largest public health undertakings in U.S. history. While Ellis Island has become one of New York City’s top tourist attractions, drawing over two million visitors per year, the 22-building South Side hospital complex is hidden in plain sight, just to the left of disembarking passengers headed towards the Great Hall.
Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour
After immigration restriction laws shut down Ellis Island as a port of entry, the complex was left to decay for nearly 60 years. Looking at its desolate, skeletal frame now, it’s difficult to imagine that it was once the standard for United States medical care and one of the largest public health undertakings in American history. See more photographs of the amazing buildings and crumbling interiors and join us for a tour of the abandoned Ellis Island hospital complex led by a Save Ellis Island docent.
