The Long Island Farm Colonies:
The Central Islip State Hospital
The Cemetery

When I was scanning satellite maps around the former grounds of The Central Islip State Hospital, I couldn’t happen but notice this:

And I knew exactly what it was. The old patient cemetery or the Potter’s Field as almost all of the buried remains are marked only with a small concrete headstone… and a number. I wanted in as there would lay the most important part of the grounds’ history–the remains of those who lived in the original Farm Colony.

Though the The Central Islip Cemetery Project claims the grounds are not accessible, where there’s a will, there’s a way. I will tell you how, but don’t tell anyone else. I trust you are well-intended and won’t do some tacky sexy photoshoot there. People do that you know.

First drive to Touro Law School in Central Islip. Their parking lot is right next to the fenced cemetery grounds. In fact, the Touro folk are within a restoration project (see link up there) after stumbling upon the small Jewish section of the cemetery. (More info here.) The project began in 2013, though it doesn’t seem like they’ve been busy. They are working with Pilgrim State, who maintain the grounds, on getting their burial records. Meanwhile, the grounds are secured. A dilapidated barbwire fence and nature’s overgrowth now line the entirety of the its perimeter. I know because I walked most of its span looking for a way in. But first I arrived at Touro, parked without a hassle and tried to enter through what look like a path. But fences were chained up and brush was thick.

I made my way out of the parking lot and on the side of the thoroughfare that connected the cemetery and law school to some of the other buildings now on the old hospital grounds. The only sign would be on this portion of gate. I kept walking.

Through the fence I could see the graves. Though the fence was low, easily jumpable and the barbwire covered with vines, this part of the street is active, right across from the huge Suffolk County court complex. And there are cameras in the street lights here too… along with plenty of signs about not stopping your vehicle.

And this sign.

I made a left down Spur drive North, walking on the brush and following the fence. There are worn paths within the wooden area that seem to meet the fence along the way, but I didn’t venture in just yet. I was still casing the place. Then at the site of residential houses, I turned in towards the fence down a closed off street and took an immediate left into the brush on a worn path close to someone’s home and its barking dog. It is here, a minute in, you’ll find the entrance through the fence.

Into the grounds of the cemetery. 5,500 people, each identified by a number. The silence of the place, the indignity of the numerical markers, haunts my gentle tread.

A few detailed markers were on the grounds.

I did not venture too far in as I did not want to noticed and pursued. I was thankful I was able to pay my respects to those who endured such hardships, tucked away in life and in their death.

*Please note that upon returning to my car I saw a sign that declared the parking lot only to be used for Touro-related parking at risk of a tow. But no patrols were active in the lot or about the cemetery grounds.