Continuing the Timeline of Roosevelt Island history compiled by the Main Street Wire, this week’s history post focuses on the always topical and fun 18th Century. Roosevelt (Blackwell’s) Island was put up for sale in 1782 and 1794 being described as a “pleasant, agreeable situation island” and “remarkable for the number of fish and fowl” caught. Property did not sell. Perhaps a Post Revolutionary War credit crunch?
The property finally sold in 1828 when New York City bought the Island for “$32,500 as a location for a charitable and correction institutions”.
XVIII Century
Here is the prior 16th Century Roosevelt Island Timeline post.
