Southpoint Park

Southpoint Park. Roosevelt Island, New York. , Southpoint Park celebrates Roosevelt Island's rich history, both natural and man-made., The flora is native to New York City and represents the era prior to its settlement. Its walls are constructed of stone from 19th century quarries once located on the island. The stones were formerly part of City Hospital, which was built in 1857 and operated on this site until 1955., The grounds contain two historic landmark buildings, remnants of a time when Roosevelt Island was named Welfare Island in light of the institutions that cared for those in need., The Smallpox Hospital, which was designed by James Renwick, Jr., is in the Gothic style. Its doors were opened in 1856 and it was the first United States hospital to accept patients afflicted with smallpox. During the 1870's the hospital was closed and subsequently re-opened as The New York City Training School for Nurses., In 1909, the Strecker Memorial Laboratory was built as the nation's first center for the study of pathology and operated for more than 50 years. It presently stands with a completely restored exterior, and houses electric converters for the subways of New York City Transit.