Willowbrook on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Halloran Hospital
Willowbrook Mile
In 1938, New York State authorized the building of a school for "mental defectives." The Willowbrook site was selected and buildings erected. When the U.S. entered World War II in the 1940s, New York State turned over the site to the U.S. Army for use as a hospital and prisoner of war camp. Halloran General Hospital soon became the largest Army hospital in the U.S. It was known for orthopedic and reconstructive surgery and a humanistic standard of care. At its peak, it treated over 2,500 soldiers daily. At the war's end, Halloran became a veterans' hospital. In 1951, Halloran closed and the Army returned the property to NY State for its intended purpose as the Willowbrook State School.
Erected 2022 by College of Staten Island, City University of New York. (Marker Number 3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Science & Medicine • War, Korean • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the New York, Staten Island, Willowbrook Mile series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 40° 35.943′ N, 74° 9.032′ W. Marker is on Staten
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Promise Fulfilled (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Consent Judgment (about 500 feet away); Willowbrook Archives (about 600 feet away); Building 19 (about 700 feet away); Isolation to Inclusion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Exposing Conditions at Willowbrook (approx. Ό mile away); Connelly Center (approx. 0.3 miles away); Building 29 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
Other markers no longer nearby. Gouvernor State School (was approx. 0.2 miles away
Regarding Halloran Hospital. The grounds of the notorious Willowbrook State School are now home to the College of Staten Island campus of CUNY.
Also see . . .
1. Willowbrook State School. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. College of Staten Island/CUNY. Website homepage (Submitted on February 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4,193 times since then and 221 times this year. Last updated on October 9, 2025, by Catherine J. Lavender of Staten Island, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
