Genealogy: Besides Sing Sing in Ossining was their an Eastview Prison near Tarry

Question:I found that Sing Sing Prison was named Mt Pleasant and built in Sing Sing, later Ossining New York, 6 miles from Tarrytown. Was there another Penetentiary named "Eastview" in the same area near Tarrytown, and can you provide me some details, address, other popular names for the Eastview prison, etc?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I found that Sing Sing Prison was named Mt Pleasant and built in Sing Sing, later Ossining New York, 6 miles from Tarrytown. Was there another Penetentiary named "Eastview" in the same area near Tarrytown, and can you provide me some details, address, other popular names for the Eastview prison, etc?

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GENERAL HOSPITAL NO. 38, EASTVIEW, N. Y.

General Hospital No. 38, formerly the Westchester County Almshouse and Penitentiary, was situated in the Pocantico Hills, Westchester County, N. Y., 2 miles east of Eastview station on the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad, 3 miles east of Tarrytown, and 4 miles north of White Plains. This property was leased from the county of Westchester October 7, 1918, effective October 10, 1918, and included 150 acres of farm land, part of which was ready for cultivation, and the following buildings: The Westchester County Almshouse, the Westchester County Penitentiary, and the power plant, including the laundry, cold-storage plant, bakery, and storage facilities.70 The rental for the first year was $190,000 and thereafter $140,000 per year.70

The almshouse was a brick and stone fireproof structure with two floors and a high, well lighted and aired basement. The buildings were arranged in quadrangles surrounding three large courts and were either continuous or were

FIG. 192.—General hospital No. 38, Eastview, N. Y.

connected by wide closed corridors; they were comparatively narrow and therefore very light and airy. The construction was modern in every way and the buildings were new, white, and clean, though not quite complete, especially in regard to electric installation, cooking equipment, window shades, and screening, but they were exceptionally well adapted for hospital purposes. The almshouse contained its own kitchens (without equipment), dining rooms, assembly hall and chapel, and was well provided with large dormitories, wide hallways, and a moderate number of private rooms.71

The penitentiary, situated 300 yards from the almshouse, was a comparatively new building and had been occupied about one year. It had a capacity of about 275 prisoners and a space for officers, guards, etc. It was a handsome building of its kind, quadrangular in plan, very unlike a prison, and of high-class fireproof construction. It contained its own little hospital, four schoolrooms, an assembly room, a modern kitchen with mechanical equipment, and dining rooms. The apartments for the officials and guards were excellent in every way, and the cells for the prisoners were equipped each with its own cot,

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desk, lavatory, and toilet, and each was individually ventilated. The interior as a whole was lavishly appointed and of pleasing appearance throughout.71

The power house, containing also the bakery, laundry, cold-storage plant, and storage rooms, continued in use during the Army occupancy.72

At the time of the original survey, resulting in the acquisition of the property, it was estimated that 1,300 sick could be accommodated, provided that temporary quarters for the nurses were constructed.71 It was also estimated that the capacity could be extended to 2,000 by the utilization of the many wide hallways and corridors and by the closing of many open porches, and that $235,000 would be required to do this work.71 There was some thought at that time that the property might be used for the treatment of mental cases, as at this particular time it seemed necessary that some additional space be

FIG. 193.—Recreation room, General Hospital No. 38, Eastview, N. Y.

provided for this class of sick. It was determined, however, not to construct new temporary buildings for nurses' quarters and not to send mental cases to this hospital.

The personnel for the development of the hospital began to arrive in late October and early November, 1918, and the work of alteration and occupation began. In the meantime a complete study had been made of the property and plans prepared for the necessary alterations.73 The work was carried on through the winter and completed in March, 1919.

The following alterations were made in the almshouse: In the basement there were installed the shops for reconstruction activities, the schoolrooms, hospital and quartermaster stores, and many other activities similarly adapted to basement space.73 The kitchens were created mainly by the installation of

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necessary equipment for the preparation of food and facilities for cooking and dish washing. The operating suite, the eye, ear, nose, and throat section, and other specialties were easily installed in the small rooms which contained running water, sinks, and other necessary plumbing facilities.73 The laboratory, X-ray rooms, and pharmacy were installed in a similar way where the least amount of alteration was necessary.73 Linen rooms, the post office, the receiving department, treatment rooms, etc., were installed in a similar manner, but as the number of small rooms was not sufficient for such isolated activities, a considerable amount of partitioning was necessary.73 The majority of the sick were provided for in large wards, 20 of which alone gave a capacity of 850. Each of these wards was provided with appropriate ward offices, a utility room, a toilet, and a serving room.73 The provision of window shades and screening was a considerable item, but was very necessary.73 The essential outside work comprised the construction of board walks, much roadway—the existing roads were unsuitable for heavy trucks—temporary buildings for stables, and a garage. The sewage disposal system, not being sufficient for the increased population caused by military occupation, had to be enlarged. The water supply was insufficient too, and it was necessary to install a pumping unit near the Catskill aqueduct.

This property was designated "General Hospital No. 38" by War Department orders on November 28, 1918.74 Though alterations had not been completed in many respects, it was opened as a general hospital in January, 1919, with a capacity of 500, and a small group of sick was received at once.75 The number of sick increased until March, when it had risen to 833.76 The capacity in the meantime had been increased to 820. Some of this capacity, however, was not realized, as nurses' quarters were not built, and the nurses were housed in the hospital building proper; the maximum capacity for the sick was therefore about 750.76 From March until June, 1919, the number of patients remained in the vicinity of 1,000, although at one time, in May, a maximum of 1,133 was being treated in the hospital.76 After May the decrease in the number treated was rapid and by July, 1919, it had dropped to 519.76 In the meantime, on June 18, the abandonment of this institution had been recommended to take effect July 15,77 and the War Department's approval was received on June 24.78 No more patients were sent to the hospital from this time on, and of the 519 above referred to only 189, requiring further general hospital treatment, were remaining at the time of closure. These patients were sent by hospital train to General Hospital No. 2, and the institution was closed on July 15.79 Steps had already been taken to cancel the lease and to return this property to the lessor. This was effected in September, 1919.80