April 14, 2017 – Bronx, NY

Difficulty – easy

Location: near 9 Shore Rd, Bronx, NY 10464

Disclaimer: Exploring abandoned and/or ruined structures can be dangerous and you could be trespassing. Should you choose to enter the property of any of the places featured on this site, do so legally.

City Island Road Station, also known as the Bartow Station is hidden in plain sight near the entrance road to the Hutchinson River Parkway. It sits abandoned and in ruins along the tracks, about a 100 feet from Shore Road in the Bronx.

Built for the Harlem River and Port Chester Railroad, a branch line railroad between New York City and Port Chester, New York. The line opened in 1873 as part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford commuter railroad.

Bartow Station was designed by Cass Gilbert and built in 1908 as a replacement for an existing wooden station in what was then called Bartow-on-the-Sound. After getting off at the station you could connect to a trolley into City Island.

Built of stone with arched windows and sturdy walls, the station stands at track level.

From 1910-1913, a monorail ran from Bartow Station throughout City Island. The trolley into City Island ran until 1919 and the Harlem branch ceased passenger service in the 1930’s.

In 1910, during its inaugural journey, the monorail lurched over, sending scores of people to the hospital.

With the roof now gone, likely due to fire, all that remains are the brick walls and some steel beams.

Now it’s a haven for graffiti artists who have tagged the brick walls with their art.

The wheelbarrow is cable locked to the ladder.

The chimney still stands tall as it seemingly reaches for the sky.

We wandered around capturing images and didn’t run into anyone while we were there. I wouldn’t recommend coming here at night for obvious reasons. The vegetation overgrowth will make it difficult to find and navigate through if you visit in the warmer months.

Please be advised that the station is very close to an active Amtrak line and take proper precautions if you decide to visit these ruins.

Now get out there and explore!