Why New York’s Secret Government Island Has No Inhabitants

Governors Island is a small island off the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City. The island has a long and varied history, dating back to the 1600s when it was first used as a Dutch colonial settlement. In the centuries that followed, the island changed hands numerous times, serving as a military base, a quarantine station, and even a dumping ground for trash. In 1996, the island was finally turned over to the people of New York City and has since been redeveloped into a beautiful public park. In this video, we'll take a look at the history of Governors Island and how it came to be the place it is today.

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IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

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Scriptwriter - Brandon Evans,
Editor - Sebastian Ripoll,
Host - Ryan Socash

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Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[wildfood]

I was there in the Coast Guard for three months in 1987. You could drink milkshakes from their Burger King while sitting alone in the middle of a soccer field, gazing at the nighttime Manhattan skyline highlighted by the Twin Towers. No matter how much money you had, you could not pay for that experience.

[michaelmcguire]

I grew up on Governors Island. Moved off the base back in 1990. ( pop retired ).
Moved to Staten Island. Now I’m upstate NY.
Went back to the base last year with my spouse for a visit. Major changes everywhere!!!
I’ve always said, if I could go back I would in a heart beat. The best place growing up as a child!

[heatherreilly]

I had friends who lived in Governers Island because their dads were stationed there. It closed when I was like a Junior in high school, and I remember hearing how heartbreaking it was for those who lived there when the community got upended

[frankmarcia]

i was stationed at Governors island while i was in the US Coast Guard. it was a great place to be stationed at . we had great base housing highrise apartment buildings and the views were fantastic.it was a very quiet place and hard to believe how close we were to all the great broadway shows over in Manhatten. the ferry ride to and from the island was fantastic and after a night out at Times Square we would pick up a pizza at the ferry terminal. i was on the island from 1965 to 1967 with the COTP Port Security.

[holton]

I was a member of the US Army Band of New York City, stationed (at that time) at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn. This was for three years (1986-1988). We performed ceremonial music at Governor's Island Coast Guard Station on a semi-regular basis, and I *loved* taking the ferry out there. It was like an oasis after the ceaseless sounds and lights of Manhattan and Brooklyn. We played many ceremonies and concerts leading up to the reopening of the Statue of Liberty in July 1986. President Reagan's reviewing stand and the main stage for the televised ceremony were at the western shore of the south end of the island (which has a fantastic view of the statue). I used to love exploring (as much as was permitted) the old fortresses of the area, including Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, just across the narrows from Fort Hamilton, the two fortifications on Governor's Island, Fort Totten in Queens, and Fort Hamilton itself. It was a great time to live (and be stationed) there. I miss it just about every day. I was sad when the USCG handed it over. That was a beautiful base, just like the photos in this video. Thanks for posting this video.

[PandaBear]

I enjoyed Governor's Island like 15 years ago before it was built up as a tourist attraction. It was a great relaxing place to hang out, have a picnic, and just relax. No one knew it was there. The ferry was free then. My kids would beg to go there almost every weekend in the summer months. Now it's been built up so much as a tourist attraction, it's crowded.

[nspectacular]

I was there two weeks ago and I go there often. It's great. I highly recommend it. I've been a regular visitor since 2008.

[jamesadams]

While in the US Coast Guard, during the early 80's late 70's I attended many different training classes. All the technical training schools were eventually relocated to California. I have many happy memories of my time there. I'm an avid bicyclist, and enjoyed riding the circuit around the island. The big controversy involving Burger King moving onto the island. Had a bird's eye view of the spectacular fireworks display during the Brooklyn Bridge's centennial celebration. Many snowball fights with the kids from the elementary school located across the street from the barracks. Waking up to the spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty. So many memories.

[dennisdriscoll]

Failed to mention that the origin al island was only 1/3 its current size. The remainder is landfill from the original subway excavation!

[robertbalderson]

Our son was born in the hospital there in 1959.

[mrbibstoo]

I too, was fortunate to have spent 9 weeks of my life on the island in 1974 attending the USCG ATON (Aids to Navigation) school and the cheese pizza served from the ferry terminal was the best I've ever had. 😉

[JAGBRG]

Former art/video teacher at 104 and had many students from GI which gave me and my classes access to Visit GI, bowling alleys and PX. We had lots of fun wandering around the island and invited to one of the officers home who gave us a tour. Fond memories🌺

[chrislongbeard]

I stayed 2 nights with my Boy Scout troop in the barracks in 1994. The bowling alley was still open along with the PX.

[AverytheCubanAmerican]

Even the forgotten borough Staten Island is of Revolutionary War importance. On the southern end of Staten Island (which is also the southernmost point of New York state) is a very interesting spot called the Conference House. It was the site of the failed Staten Island Peace Conference where Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Admiral Lord Howe met to discuss a peaceful end for the Revolutionary War on September 11, 1776 (coincidence? I think NOT). Because Lord Howe didn't have the power to recognize the colonies' independence (since he is not the king), the conference failed after just THREE HOURS and the British resumed their military campaign to control the city. Which of course, prompted the Continental Army to continue on the fight for the greater good.

[thinkingguy]

I was an Army "Brat" in the 60s and my father was assigned to HQ, First Army. I have many fond memories of GI and the many friends I made among other "Brats". All the High School students took the GI Ferry to Manhattan then the Staten Island Ferry to Curtis High School on SI. I was generally a "good boy", but I will now admit that I was one of the Island "gang" who occasionally stuffed the barrel of the evening salute gun with feathers and golf balls and hide my smile as feathers filled the air and golf balls sprayed NYC harbor.

[Guspech]

Great video. I have never heard of Governors Island. Awesome material. Thanks for posting.

[benchandler]

Great video I saw that island when I went to the Statue of Liberty but had no idea what it was but noticed from afar the fortifications and it had peaked my curiosity but had totally forgot about it till now watching this very fascinating

[Bob]

I was on the island waiting for the ferry in 1965 when all the power went out in NY city. Was sort of neat seeing all the lights go off and only car lights too see. Until we were told we couldn’t get off the island till the tide came it as the ramps to the ferry weren’t working. Took four hours to get home.

[cxb]

My Dad was stationed there as an O-2 back in the late 70s. I was a preschooler, and remember enjoying the ferry rides back and forth to Manhattan, and having the Statue of Liberty right outside our quarters window (the area Reagan stood outside of during the '86 Statue relighting ceremony). Wish I could have gone back before all the housing was torn down to see it again as an adult.

[SuikodenGR]

As a NYC Resident that work just a few blocks and 1 ferry ride away from the Island, it truly is an amazing place to get away from the noisy city but not too far away.

Plenty of event occur here -

Roaring 20s Era events
Halloween Events
Food Cart Events
Etc.

Plenty of stuff to do here for all ages.