Page:Immigration and the Commissioners of Emigration of the state of New York.djvu/149

Rh filled in with brick, having a frontage of 119 feet, and two wings, running east and west, of 40 feet long by 25 feet wide. It contained, besides apartments for physicians, apothecary, and nurses, and the apothecary's shop, eleven large rooms for patients, each of the dimensions of 40 feet by 25, and affording accommodations for 250 beds.

While this hospital was in the course of construction, the Board became satisfied that still more ample accommodations would soon be needed, and that more especially a proper establishment for children was imperatively demanded. They, therefore, determined to erect a nursery building, to contain, besides dormitories and play-room, a school-room and chapel. By the end of 1848 this building was finished and partly occupied.

As it became essential to have more ground than, under the lease, was in the possession of the Commissioners, and as several lots or parcels of land on Ward s Island happened to be for sale, it was resolved to take advantage of the opportunity. Accordingly, in the month of July, 1848, 12 acres and 22 perches were purchased for $12,289 38. These purchases were continued from time to time, so that by the end of 1849 the Commissioners owned 95 acres 3 roods and 6 perches, for which they had altogether paid the comparatively small sum of 63,818 83. In 1858, Purchases of they held in fee simple 106 acres, with appurtenant water-rights and marsh. In 1864, they bought a piece of land for $7,200, containing 2 acres and 22 perches, lying on the eastern side of Ward's Island, quite separate from their other lands, but very desirable and even indispensable for a landing-place on the eastern or the Sound side of the island, and well adapted for hospital purposes when required. Finally, in 1868, the Commissioners purchased a tract of about 11 acres of land on the south side of the island for $50,000, so that they now hold more than one-half of the island, or about 121 acres, for which they have paid $140,930 62, including the whole of the water front which faces New York City. The remaining portion is chiefly owned by the Commissioners of Public Charities and Correction, a local board exercising the functions of the poor officers of the county.

Much, of course, has been done during the last twenty-two years for the improvement of the island. Temporary and wooden