Letchworth Village
Geraldo Rivera's 1972 exposé
State: New York
County: Rockland County
Founded: 1911
Abandoned: 1996
Peak Population: 5,000
Letchworth Village was designed as a humane asylum—but became infamous for overcrowding and abuse. Geraldo Rivera's 1972 exposé shocked the nation. 130+ buildings across 2,363 acres housed 5,000+ patients at peak. Closed in 1996; many buildings now decay as a haunting 'ghost town.'
Quick Facts
- Geraldo Rivera's 1972 exposé shocked the nation
- 130+ buildings across 2,363 acres
- Cemetery patients were originally marked only by numbers
- Started with progressive ideals—ended in tragedy
Location
Address: Thiells, Rockland County, New York
Coordinates: 41.2281, -74.0617