Situated on Roosevelt Island, a deteriorating hospital facility dating back to the 1850s holds a haunting presence.
Few diseases have shaped the course of human history as profoundly as smallpox. While the bubonic plague may be renowned for its dramatic impact, diseases like malaria and HIV often feel more immediate due to their ongoing prevalence. However, in the narrative of contagion, smallpox emerges as a central figure. With a history spanning over 3,000 years across the world, it maintains a distinctive and enduring position in the chronicles of infectious diseases.
History
Before the smallpox vaccine’s discovery in 1796, Europe bore the brunt of over 400,000 annual deaths from the disease. Shockingly, smallpox claimed the lives of one in ten children in Sweden and France, and even more staggering, one in seven in Russia, according to the World Health Organization.
The impact of smallpox was far-reaching, affecting not only the general populace but also notable historical figures. European monarchs, including Louis XV of France, fell victim to the disease. Even Queen Elizabeth I, who contracted smallpox as a child, resorted to heavy makeup to conceal the resulting pockmarks. Moreover, smallpox influenced historical conflicts. During the French and Indian Wars, blankets deliberately contaminated with smallpox were given to Delaware Amerindians, representing an early form of biological warfare.
Through concerted global vaccination efforts, smallpox achieved an unprecedented status. It became the first and only disease to be completely eradicated through human intervention in 1979, marking a monumental triumph in public health history. As early as the late 1800s, Western Europe and the United States spearheaded systematic vaccination campaigns to eliminate smallpox. However, prior to these efforts, many cities constructed hospitals specifically dedicated to treating individuals afflicted with smallpox.
Its Fall
Located at the southern tip of Blackwell’s Island, now Roosevelt Island, the smallpox hospital was strategically chosen for its ferry access, while ensuring infected patients remained at a safe distance from the general population. Designed by James Renwick Jr., renowned for his work on Grace Church and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the hospital bore his signature Gothic Revival style. Operational from 1856 to 1875, it provided treatment for approximately 7,000 patients annually during its existence. In 1875, the building was repurposed into a nurses’ dormitory, and the city’s smallpox hospital was relocated to North Brothers Island due to the rising population density on Blackwell’s Island. By the 1950s, Renwick Hospital had become obsolete, abandoned by the city, and fell into disrepair.
In 1975, acknowledging its historical significance, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the deteriorating structure as a city landmark in its ruined state. To prevent its complete collapse, the walls were reinforced, but the building has not undergone restoration or been accessible for tours. Today, only remnants of the outer walls and the foundation of the hospital remain, fenced off at the southern tip of Roosevelt Island.