North Brother Island is probably the only uninhabited place in New York City. The Big Apple island has been abandoned since the 1960s, but photographer Christopher Payne has been visiting it for the past six years to document its decay.
Located ten minutes away by boat from the Bronx, the island was once used to house the Riverside Hospital from the 1880s to the 1930s. The hospital and the island served as a quarantine for hundreds of patients who suffered from highly contagious illnesses like scarlet fever. Afterwards, it was used as a temporary home for war veterans and recovering drug-addled adolescents.
Payne wanted to reveal its dark history through pictures. With his year's worth of pictures, he is now releasing a book titled 'North Brother Island: The Last Unknown Place In New York City.'
What's Driving This Trend
- Abandoned Places Photography
- As more abandoned places are rediscovered, there is a growing trend of photographers exploring and documenting their decay.
- Dark Histories Revealed
- There is a trend of uncovering and sharing the often overlooked and dark histories of abandoned places through photography and other forms of media.
- Preservation and Restoration of Abandoned Places
- There is a rising trend towards restoring and preserving abandoned places as historical landmarks and converting them into tourist attractions or community spaces.
Who This Affects Most
- Photography
- As more photographers capture the beauty of abandoned places, there may be opportunities for them to showcase and sell their work to art collectors, historians, and tourists.
- Tourism
- Abandoned places with unique stories and histories could become popular tourist destinations, providing opportunities for tour operators, hospitality and entertainment businesses to cater to visitors.
- Historical Preservation
- The restoration and preservation of abandoned places can become a great opportunity for historic preservation societies, museums, and developers looking to renovate and repurpose these buildings for public use.
