Wards Island: A History of Transformation and a Potential Housing Solution for New York City
Wards island,a landmass steeped in history and frequently enough overlooked,is once again under consideration as a potential site for much-needed housing in New York City. From its origins as “Tenkenas,” or “Wild Lands” too the Lenape people, to its complex past as a site for institutions, the island’s story is a compelling one. This article delves into the interesting history of Wards Island and explores the current discussions surrounding its future development.
(Image of Wards Island with caption: Credit: Andres Alvarado on Flickr)
From Indigenous Land to Revolutionary War Outpost
The story of Wards Island begins long before the city that surrounds it flourished. Sold by the lenape to the Dutch in 1637, the island initially served as a strategic military post during the Revolutionary War. Though early settlements existed as far back as the 17th century, it was the entrepreneurial spirit of Jaspar and Bartholomew ward that truly spurred development.
In 1807, the Ward brothers opened a cotton mill and constructed the first bridge connecting the island to Manhattan, making it a more attractive place to live and work. The Parks Department details this early history on their website https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/wards-island-park/history.
A Period of Abandonment and Institutional Growth
The early promise of Wards island faced setbacks. The cotton mill closed following the War of 1812, and a storm destroyed the bridge in 1821, leading to a period of abandonment.However, the mid-19th century brought a dramatic shift.
Overcrowding in Manhattan prompted the city to develop Wards Island as a location for almshouses, mental health facilities, and potter’s fields – graveyards for the impoverished. Hundreds of thousands of bodies were relocated to the island from across the city. This marked the begining of a long period were Wards Island served as a place for those marginalized by society.
* 1847: The state Emigrant Refuge, a hospital for sick and destitute immigrants, opened. It quickly grew to become the world’s largest hospital complex by the 1850s.
* 1851: The City of New York purchased Wards Island.
* 1863: The NYC Asylum for the Insane was established.
* 1860 onward: Wards Island functioned as an immigrant intake center alongside Ellis Island.
The Manhattan State Hospital and Robert Moses‘ vision
In 1899, the State Department of Mental Hygiene took control of the asylum and immigration buildings, establishing the Manhattan State Hospital. This institution became the world’s largest psychiatric facility, housing 4,400 patients and continuing to operate today as the Manhattan Psychiatric Center.
The 20th century brought the most significant physical changes to Wards Island. Robert Moses, the influential city planner, connected it to Randall’s Island through landfill. This expansion created space for playing fields, promenades offering stunning Manhattan skyline views, and the iconic Triborough Bridge.
Modern Infrastructure and a Renewed Focus on Development
Today, Wards island is home to vital infrastructure. This includes:
* The Wards Island Water Pollution Control Plant, the world’s highest-capacity sewage treatment facility (built in 1937).
* A Fire Department training center.
* Several shelters.
Recently, the island’s potential for housing development has resurfaced. During a City Council committee meeting in March, Council Member Gale Brewer questioned why no studies had been conducted on building housing on Wards island, drawing parallels to the prosperous development of Roosevelt Island [https://citymeetings.nyc/meetings/new-york-city-council/2025-03-25-1000-am-committee-on-housing-and-buildings/chapter/potential-housing-development-on-wards-island/](https://citymeetings.nyc/meetings/new-york-city-council/2025-03-25-1000-am-committee-on-housing-and-buildings/