“History in Decay: Fort Totten’s Rich Past Faces Progressive Deterioration”
Fort Totten, situated on the secluded peninsula of the Long Island Sound, occupies the northeastern corner of Queens, New York. This former military stronghold turned public park is a repository of over 100 historic buildings that witness the area’s rich 200-year history. However, the time has not been kind to these structures, as the majority have fallen into disuse and are now in a state of progressive decay. Despite its unconventional nature, Fort Totten remains an intriguing destination for those seeking a bizarre park experience.
One of the most striking sights within the Fort Totten Historic District is the crumbling 1829 farmhouse, which predates the area’s military use. It stands behind a barricade of overgrown weeds, with a poignant sign proclaiming its candidacy for historical preservation. This image encapsulates the current state of affairs within the district, where neglect and decay have become common.
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On the northern tip of Willet’s Point, a monumental granite fortification constructed during the Civil War lies unoccupied, occasionally transformed into a haunted house. Numerous dilapidated buildings are scattered across the rest of the grounds, including Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne Style officers’ quarters, hospitals, bakeries, movie theatres, and laboratories. Although these structures yearn for restoration, the necessary funding has yet to be achieved.
One building, a two-story YMCA facility built in 1926, has remained abandoned for nearly two decades, preserving a time capsule of the past. Within its decaying walls, remnants of the past lay undisturbed. An upstairs bulletin board proudly displays a 1995 thank-you letter from a kindergarten class at PS 201 alongside a crude depiction of Santa Claus dedicated to Officer Rivera. A random assortment of 80s adult magazines offers a glimpse into a bygone era in a nearby dilapidated book room.
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In recent years, the building served as a community relations unit for the New York City Police Department. Today, it is cluttered with discarded items, from mattresses and packaging to unopened toy donations. Adjacent to the building, the New York City Fire Department has repurposed the attached gymnasium as a storage space. The basement, however, remains inaccessible due to flooding, rendering it a dark and rusted-through labyrinth.
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On the opposite side of the peninsula, a series of half-submerged concrete batteries stand as remnants of the past. These structures, constructed at the turn of the century, were declared obsolete by 1938 and subsequently abandoned. The boxy design, seemingly modern in appearance, belies its actual age. The battery’s interior reveals the passage of time, with pencil-thin stalactites hanging from the ceiling and rainwater seeping through the cracks. Once utilized to lift heavy weaponry, a crank-operated machine stands as a testament to the battery’s original purpose. Maze-like tunnels, adorned with arched hallways, metal doors, winding staircases, and ominous pits, create an atmosphere reminiscent of a dungeon. While the rusty barrier fails to deter curious visitors, the area’s accessibility to the public remains uncertain.
In 2005, when the military base transitioned into an official New York City Park, then-Mayor Bloomberg predicted Fort Totten would become one of the city’s most popular parks. Concerns were raised by some community members, fearing the influx of approximately 450,000 visitors each year would disrupt parking, increase crime rates, and transform the neighbourhood’s character. However, after a decade, tourism has yet to pose significant problems.
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Although Fort Totten has yet to realize its potential fully, progress has been made, instilling hope for future improvements. The park now hosts regular events and educational programs to attract visitors and enrich the surrounding community. Several nonprofit organizations have undertaken the arduous task of occupying and renovating deteriorating buildings. The landmarked Officers’ Club has been repurposed as an educational facility and exhibition space, serving the Bayside Historical Society. These modest but noteworthy victories preserve the district’s historical legacy, establishing it as a potential gem among Queens’ parklands.
Source: abandonednyc.com
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