Photographer Shines a Light on Abandoned Bronx Island

North Brother Island (Photo credit: The Kingston Lounge)


Ian Ference, a photographer who specializes in shooting derelict New York City buildings, has turned his lens on North Brother Island.

Located in the East River just north of Rikers Island, the island has been abandoned since the '60s. It had been home to Riverside Hospital, which among other things treated smallpox and leprosy and other contagious diseases. Its most famous patient: Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary, who died there in 1938. Today, several of buildings are still standing, though in various states of disrepair.

The island, currently a bird sanctuary and under the jurisdiction of the city’s Parks Department, is off-limits to the public.

But Ference, who goes by Richard Nickel, Jr. (Richard Nickel was a photographer who shot vacant buildings in Chicago, and argued against their demolition), must have made at least two trips - with or without permission. And to our benefit. His photos, which he published on his blog, The Kingston Lounge, are something to behold. He also gives a fascinating overview of the island's history.

Bronx News Roundup, Nov. 12

For years now, the city has been giving tax breaks to several New York City strip clubs, including the now-closed Hunts Point Triangle.

The owner of a Bronx hardware store says there's something fishy about the city's Better Business Bureau and its grading system. 

The Bronx Ink profiles Grace Outreach, a Bronx-based nonprofit that helps women prepare for college and the workplace.

Police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of a gas station attendant during a botched robbery attempt in Laconia on Oct. 28.

A Bronx man who was hit by a stray bullet during a wild shootout in Harlem in August, is suing the city for $20 million. In the complaint, the man's lawyer writes: "This is a clear case of police officers improperly following police procedure with respect of discharging of firearms in a crowd." During the gunfight, one person was killed, and several others were injured, included two cops.

State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. is sponsoring a bill which would prohibit state lawmakers from earning a second income. If passed, Diaz himself would be forced to give up his $15,000 annual stipend as a Pentecostal minister.

Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo has named 50 prominent New Yorkers to serve on his transition team. Among those: Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

A Bronx woman whose husband stabbed and very nearly killed her three years ago, has been unable to return to work, and is now struggling to hold onto her home. The bank is after it (foreclosure has been looming) and so is her soon to be free husband.

Earlier this month, the Department of Education delayed the release of John F. Kennedy High School's progress report, after concerns were raised over discrepancies in the student discharge rate.  Today, the report was finally published; the school received a D grade, and could be phased out.

The neighborhoods of Hunts Point and Longwood are featured in The Times' "Living In" column.