Google Earth Community: The NYC Farm Colony

The Farm Colony was a residential colony for the indigent poor. Originally established in the mid-19th Century by Richmond County, it was transferred to New York City and renamed in 1902 after the consolidation of the city's boroughs.

The purpose of the Farm was to provide a place for the poor to to be sheltered in exchange for work, in this case growing produce for their own use and also for sale. The complex included dormitories, a morgue, a cholera hospital, housing for the insane and a schoolhouse, and was across the road from Seaview Hospital. The highest number of occupants at any one time was 2,000 individuals; there were residents there until 1975.

Buildings on the property were designed by Renwick, Aspinwall & Owen and William Flanagan ; the first building opened in 1904. In 1985 the site was designated a city landmark as the New York City Farm Colony - Sea View Hospital Historic District. Most of the structures are now dilapidated ruins.

From the Preserve & Protect Organization:

"The character of this historic complex is absolutely unique in the City of New York. Gambrel-roofed dormitories and service buildings of fieldstone and brick were built between 1904 and 1916. Extreme care was taken to place these solid structures strategically in the landscape. This sensitive site planning resulted in preserving the rural landscape and views often by hiding the buildings with slopes and/or complementing the terrain by their shape and height. The use of the Dutch Colonial Revival Style maintained the continuity of local architectural traditions and created a unified complex."

Information on the Farm Colony came from the Preserve & Protect Organization website and the NYC Parks & Recreations Department website.There is also a Wikipedia article about the Farm.

An excellent (and eerie) set of photos of the Farm may be found here.

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