Roosevelt Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Octagon Tower
Designated Landmark
New York City
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 2, 2021
1. Octagon Tower Marker
Inscription.
Octagon Tower. Designated Landmark. Built as the administrative center of the New York City Lunatic Asylum in 1837-39, Octagon Tower was designed by the prominent architect Alexander Jackson Davis. One of the first municipal institutions of its type in the country, the site was selected because the pleasant island surroundings were thought to be conductive to both physical and mental rehabilitation. During the 1890s the building became the entrance to Metropolitan Hospital, a general hospital known for its School of Nursing and care of tuberculosis patients. The building was abandoned in the 1950s and the wings were demolished in 1970. Restored by Becker + Becker in 2006, the domed gneiss structure is a city, state, and national landmark.
Built as the administrative center of the New York City Lunatic Asylum in 1837-39, Octagon Tower was designed by the prominent architect Alexander Jackson Davis. One of the first municipal institutions of its type in the country, the site was selected because the pleasant island surroundings were thought to be conductive to both physical and mental rehabilitation. During the 1890s the building became the entrance to Metropolitan Hospital, a general hospital known for its School of Nursing and care of tuberculosis patients. The building was abandoned in the 1950s and the wings were demolished in 1970. Restored by Becker + Becker in 2006, the domed gneiss structure is a city, state, and national landmark.
Erected 2007 by New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Landmarks • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.
Location. 40° 46.143′ N, 73° 56.602′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Roosevelt Island. It is on Main Street 0.1 miles west of E Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Main St, New York NY 10044, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 2, 2021
2. Octagon Tower and Marker
* The marker is to the right of the lower entrance, behind the hedge. *
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
