---
title: "Roosevelt Island History — Then & Now"
description: "The history of Roosevelt Island — from Blackwell's Island to today — in photos and stories."
canonical: "https://theisland.nyc/history"
updated: "2026-11-14"
---

Updated
August 28, 2026

[News](https://theisland.nyc/) [Transit](https://theisland.nyc/transit) [Events](https://theisland.nyc/events) [Lounge](https://theisland.nyc/lounge) [Help](https://theisland.nyc/help) [Market](https://theisland.nyc/market) [Board](https://theisland.nyc/bulletin) [Food](https://theisland.nyc/eat) [Orgs](https://theisland.nyc/orgs) [Neighbors](https://theisland.nyc/neighbors) [Housing](https://theisland.nyc/sublet) [History](https://theisland.nyc/history)

# Island history

Roosevelt Island’s story in photos, from its Lenape roots to the neighborhood today.

## Keep exploring

[Historic RIOC walking map ↗](https://anatgerstein.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/RIOC%20map%20Oct%202012.pdf) [Noteworthy places ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/search/points+of+interest+Roosevelt+Island+NY/@40.7601,-73.9515,15z) [Walk This Way NYC ↗](https://walkthiswaynyc.com/walks/roosevelt-island/) [Free Tours by Foot ↗](https://freetoursbyfoot.com/roosevelt-island/) [Roosevelt Island Historical Society ↗](https://rihs.us/)