The Modern Ruins on Bannerman’s Island
Bannerman’s Island is home to the most beautiful examples of modern architectural decay I have ever witnessed firsthand. Bannerman’s Castle was built by military surplus dealer Francis Bannerman as a storage warehouse in the early twentieth century. The words “Bannerman’s Island Arsenal” were proudly displayed in 4 1/2 foot lettering on the building’s facade, thus popularizing the name “Bannerman’s Island” for the tract of land more properly known as Pollepel Island.
The European-style fortress was Francis Bannerman’s hat tip to his Scottish heritage. He personally designed every turret and embellishment, every curved wall that became part of Bannerman’s Castle.
The island sits in the Hudson River, just a couple of miles south of the Beacon-Newburgh Bridge, and can be seen from the window of the train if you’re heading to Poughkeepsie. Bannerman’s Castle has remained vacant since the Bannerman family deeded the property to New York State in 1967.
The castle first sustained serious damage in 1920 when some of the stored arsenal exploded, sending portions of the building and the island itself cascading into the Hudson River. A mysterious fire laid waste to all of the island’s buildings in 1969, and with each passing year, nature reclaims more of Bannerman’s Island.
The state of New York still owns Bannerman’s Island, and the parks department has designated The Bannerman Castle Trust as the official “friends” organization. Members of the trust are attempting to secure the funding and resources required to preserve and stabilize the buildings on the island.
While the Internet is rife with images of Bannerman’s Castle, most pale in comparison to Shaun O’Boyles stunning and evocative photographic essay, Bannerman’s Island. The above images are selections from O’Boyle’s work, which you can support by purchasing a high quality, fine art print from his site. For more on the island, see:
Bannerman Island Arsenal (Hudson Valley Ruins)
Hudson Valley Ruins: Forgotten Landmarks of an American Landscape
Lost in New Jersey on Bannerman’s Castle
Bannerman Castle (NY) (Images of America)
Thanks to BLDGBLOG for recommending Shaun O’Boyle’s photography of modern ruins. Shaun’s photographs are, if possible, even more memorable than the castle itself.
Comments
Leave a Reply