Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Photos: What Governors Island Looked Like Before You Could Go There
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 22, 2014
Modified Apr 28, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 7
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 22, 2014
Modified Apr 28, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday we took a look at some "ruin porn" around New York City—you know, those crumbling and abandoned places that we can't look away from, so beautiful in their decay. The best "ruin porn," on the abandoned side of the spectrum, existed on Governors Island around 2000, after the Coast Guard vacated but before it became a public space. Remnants of a military brat lifestyle were still around, but abandoned—there was an old Burger King, a movie theater, a bowling alley. The island was a time capsule preserving 1980s suburban America, but in the shadows of the Manhattan skyline.
While many of these buildings have been torn down, they were photographed by Andrew Moore just as the island was returned to the people of New York (for $1!). His photos—published in this beautiful book from 2005—show the island at a public and private crossroads.
And that Burger King? It even made an appearance in issue 615 of Spiderman, according to Governors Island Blog, where they also point out the fast food franchise sold 32 ounce beers for 2 bucks.
Tagged
abandoned nyc
andrew moore
burger king
governors island
original
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Ever wish you could get paid to walk through a stranger’s house? ‘The Scout’ is for you.
A new film focuses on the strange career of a location scout in New York City.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Sep 26, 2026
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A massive MTA archive ended up in a Virginia warehouse. A Brooklyn man brought it home.
By
Hannah Frishberg
How a Harry Styles pop-up in the East Village led to a nearby bookstore owner's arrest
By
Sonia Rao
NYC’s creative workers are increasingly self-employed, report says
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .