Ghostly Ride at Former Lunatic Asylum ?

Occasionally one hears tales of ghost stories here on Roosevelt Island which is only to be expected taking into account the Island's history to various hospitals, a notorious penitentiary, and a lunatic hospital. For the most part any current tales (they are actually quite rare) of ghosts come from the current residents of the Octagon complex which sits upon the site of the former lunatic asylum and which restored that site's central octagonal structure.

The above photo found on Flickr posted by paulsahner makes no claim to being a shot of a ghost and their car but it sure does make you think someone or something just pulled up to the Octagon entranceway looking to pickup a spectral passenger.

NYT City Room Posts about Haunted Roosevelt Island

The New York Times City Room blog tonight published a post titled “Answers about Haunted New York”. Kate Davey, “the co-founder of the Web site findingDulcinea … and is an expert on the tales and legends of New York’s paranormal history, is taking questions from City Room readers this week of which one of the first questions addresses the haunted history of Roosevelt Island.

Bet you did not know that the play The Tap Dance Kid was about a family of dancers from Roosevelt Island and the story includes a visit to the “kid” from his ghostly grandfather encouraging him. The Times blog post also addresses the real life ghostly encounters known to many Octagon residents as well as several other claims and ghostly accolades accorded the Island.

Check it out at this LINK.