Roosevelt Island is a narrow island in the East River of NYC located between Manhattan and Queens. It was first known as Minnehanonck, then Hog Island, Blackwell's Island and Welfare Island before being renamed for President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1971. It is approximately two miles long and has a population of around 12,000 people. The small island is comprised mainly of condominiums.
The Island was purchased by Dutch Govern Twiller back in 1637 and when the English defeated the Dutch, the English seized the Island and named it Manning's Island after the English Captain John Manning. 20 years later the property became Blackwell's Island after passing to Captain Manning's son-in-law, Robert Blackwell. The island was populated by hospitals, a prison (where Mae West once spent 8 days after a public obscenity charge) and workhouse and even a lunatic asylum. The building that once operated as a lunatic asylum in the 1800s was completely renovated and reopened in April of 2006. The Octagon, as it is now known, is a high-end housing property for the area's most affluent working professionals. The island has many registered landmarks (like the Octagon) that can be seen as you walk the streets with your leashed furry friend. Don't forget to bring your camera and plenty of doggy waste bags; please do your part to keep the Island beautiful!