Nestled on a hilltop overlooking the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York, stands another one of the wonderful ruins of the Hudson Valley---the Hudson River State Hospital.
Built in 1868, the hospital was designed by Frederick C. Withers, famous for his church architecture. The sprawling grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, best known for New York City's Central Park. The Gothic Revival style lunatic asylum was considered the most modern facility built in New York State.
When the mental hospital opened in 1871, it only housed seven patients. It reached its peak in the 1930s, with more than 6,000.
Today, the New York Office of Mental Health has vacated the building, and the imposing red brick structure is boarded up and patrolled.
Disclaimer: Urban exploration can be fun but dangerous. This writeup should not be taken as encouragement for unauthorized persons to visit. | 
