The Two Gates of Heaven,
The Cemeteries of the Harlem Valley State Hospital

The Eastern Gate of Heaven

When I, upon returning home, realized I had missed seeing the Harlem Valley State Hospital’s cemetery, I knew I’d be back soon. The grounds of its Potters Field, called The Gate of Heaven, are very isolated… in the middle of the woods as you can see below. Not to be confused with Gate of Heaven in Hawthorne, New York, this resting place is for patients of Harlem Valley State Hospital–and therefor contains no names, no religious imagery, no profound epitaphs in accordance to State policies. Located at 41°38’10.5″N 73°32’53.4″W, the grounds would require some effort.

More specifically, the cemetery would require 2-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, the 2,000 mile trail that stretches through 14 states which I hiked tiny portions of but plan to hike more extensively in Phase 3 of my life. To reach the cemetery, you may leave your car at the Duell Hollow Road parking area located at 41°38’15.5″N 73°31’50.2″W. Though the interwebs reported that parking was sparse… and a Google satellite picture doesn’t show much space, and you might feel as if you are leaving your car on the side of the road and walking away Everybody Hurts-style, leave a note on the dashboard. “On the AT.”

From there, Google predicted a 36 minute hike. But it’s uphill. I took longer, panting and moaning like some sexy movie, though the trees and the woodpeckers didn’t mind. I seriously have to work on my cardiovascular endurance if I am to have the best August National Park adventure.

If you are wanting less of a hike, the AT crosses Leather Hill road here: 41.634783, -73.536858. And there’s just as much space to park on the side of the road as there is on Duell Hollow Road. That’ll cut down the hike, including a lot of the steep stuff.

So my walking directions did not take me directly to the Eastern Gate of Heaven. I had to get off trail and press through lots of thorny thickets making for Hardy’s final predicament upon finding stray clearings. It was a little rough. I can’t see what I did being possible further into Spring and its regenerating green. But eventually I came upon a wide cleared pathway obviously used by cars. Then the No trespassing signs, to finally my arrival.

All the State Hospital markers had been removed, save for a handful of proper personalized headstones. The clearing looked innocuous, empty, despite the hundreds of patients interred below. How is this possible? I thought as I step upon the grounds.

Why had the numbers been removed? It was sickening to me.

Despite its appearance, this is hallowed ground. I acknowledge this and remember what others want to forget. And hope it makes a difference somehow.

The Western Gate of Heaven

The keen eye might have noticed that this blog post is entitled “The Two Gates of Heaven, The Cemeteries of the Harlem Valley State Hospital.” Yes, two. Because I fell into a deep research K-hole the day before my trip, I made the exciting discovery while reading through an exhaustive PDF compilation of the history of attempted sale and redevelopment of the Harlem Valley grounds, that there were two cemeteries where patients of the Hospital were interred: The Western Gate of Heaven and the Eastern Gate of Heaven.

Since this Western Gate was not on my radar originally, I dug a little deeper to learn that the Hoag Family Cemetery was contained within the protected boundaries of The Western Gate to Heaven. For ease of your exploration, the cemetery is located at 41.635851, -73.587277. Documents estimate 300 patients are buried at The Western Gate of Heaven site.

The Western Gate to Heaven was next to this cleared family plot and was certainly much easier to access than the Eastern Gate. But again, no markers for hundreds more deceased patients. Buried and forgotten by The State. Where Letchworth’s community took action to locate the names and commemorate the lives of those who died at its hospital, this community seems fine with removing the only means for locating and honoring these individuals. It is very sad.

More research from the Vegan Victuals couch: In the 2015-2016 Legislative Session the Senate introduced Bill S840 and it was signed by the Governor in 2016. The purpose: “To mark headstones or otherwise memorialize patients interred at state mental health hospital cemeteries.” I’m going to have to look into what kind of progress is being made at Harlem Valley State Hospital. The bee is officially in my bonnet.

The bill specifically names the following ill-fated State Institutions in Section B.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE TERM “STATE MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS” SHALL MEAN ANY STATE-FUNDED INSTITUTION TO CARE FOR AND HELP TREAT THE MENTALLY ILL OR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED IN NEW YORK STATE. SUCH TERM SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO FORMER ASYLUMS FOR THE INSANE, SUCH AS THE NEW YORK STATE LUNATIC ASYLUM, UTICA STATE HOSPITAL, WILLARD ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, WILLARD STATE HOSPITAL, NEW YORK STATE INEBRIATE ASYLUM, BINGHAMTON ASYLUM FOR THE CHRONIC INSANE, BINGHAMTON STATE HOSPITAL, BUFFALO STATE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, NEW YORK STATE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, BUFFALO STATE HOSPITAL, NEW YORK STATE ASYLUM FOR IDIOTS AND THE ASYLUM FOR IDIOTS IN ALBANY.

Thank you, Senators, for this list of New York abandoned asylum cemeteries to attempt to visit. I’m on a mission now.