The Haunting Abandoned Island In The Middle Of NYC

Quarantine Islands Weren’t an Unusual Practice

Although North Brother Island is fascinating due to its abandonment and history, using the island as a way to quarantine individuals infected with contagious diseases was not uncommon during the time when the island was operational.

In New York and other American cities, using islands for social welfare purposes, or to separate the sick and the criminals from the rest of society was a common practice. It was an easy way to separate as well as control certain groups from interacting with the rest of society without being totally isolated from the mainland.