In the 1950's, the needs of the community called for a newer and larger hospital, so Phelps Memorial Hospital was constructed on the old Phelps-James Estate in what was then known as North Tarrytown. There the old mansion was saved and converted to something with a useful purpose. Tarrytown Hospital became Tarry Hall Nursing Home, and served that purpose for quite some time. The hospital had been abandoned for many years when I took these photographs, but it certainly wasn't in any danger of falling apart. Instead of taking care of the old building, or even renovating it after abandonment, it was left to dilapidate. The Hospital was demolished about February 1998. An empty lot is there today. These photographs were taken January 11, 1998.

Undated posctard.

    My first visit to the Tarrytown Hospital was inspired by an article in the local newspaper. A concerned village elder wrote a “letter to the editor” describing this fascinating relic as an “eyesore” which needed to be demolished. I don’t agree with this person’s tastes, but I thank her for informing me of the old building. I had no clue it was still extant, being tucked away in a part of town I usually have no reason for visiting. It was only partially visible from Wildey Street, so unless one knew to look, it would have been easy to drive by and not notice.

    I received an e-mail from a reader informing me that the last baby born at the Tarrytown Hospital was April Facciolo, born January 2, 1956. Her father was an OB-GYN at the hospital at the time. Thanks Barry =)