Comments on: Roosevelt Island http://www.writingwithmymouthfull.com/2007/08/28/roosevelt-island-smallpox-hospital-ruins/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:17:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Roosevelt Island 360 (Eric) http://www.writingwithmymouthfull.com/2007/08/28/roosevelt-island-smallpox-hospital-ruins/comment-page-1/#comment-5278 Roosevelt Island 360 (Eric) Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:51:14 +0000 http://www.writingwithmymouthfull.com/2007/08/28/roosevelt-island-smallpox-hospital-ruins/#comment-5278 It was referred to as Blackwell's Island in the book as that was its name at that time. Actually it was named Blackwell Island from 1685 through 1921 when NYC changed the name to Welfare Island (named for the many public hospitals and other institutions then situated there. It remained as Welfare Island until 1973 when the name was changed to Roosevelt Island and the current residential buildings were first built. Prior to being named Blackwell's Island it was named for John Manning, Robert Blackwell's father in law. Manning was granted the island by King Charles of England in 1665 and it remained Manning's Island until it passed down to his step daughter and wife of Robert Blackwell. Names prior to Manning included Varkens Island (after the pigs that were there) and was previously known by the Indians as Minnahanock. Sorry couldn't resist the lesson. It was referred to as Blackwell’s Island in the book as that was its name at that time. Actually it was named Blackwell Island from 1685 through 1921 when NYC changed the name to Welfare Island (named for the many public hospitals and other institutions then situated there. It remained as Welfare Island until 1973 when the name was changed to Roosevelt Island and the current residential buildings were first built.

Prior to being named Blackwell’s Island it was named for John Manning, Robert Blackwell’s father in law. Manning was granted the island by King Charles of England in 1665 and it remained Manning’s Island until it passed down to his step daughter and wife of Robert Blackwell.

Names prior to Manning included Varkens Island (after the pigs that were there) and was previously known by the Indians as Minnahanock.

Sorry couldn’t resist the lesson.

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