The Brooklyn Navy Yard is one of the most historically significant industrial sites in New York City. Established in 1801, the yard served as a major shipbuilding facility for the United States Navy for more than 160 years. Today, much of the complex has been redeveloped, but traces of its past remain scattered across the property—from abandoned hospital buildings and forgotten rail lines to decaying industrial infrastructure. The articles below will take you on a deep dive into the hidden histories of many of the buildings and structures within the Navy Yard.
Urban Exploring
The content of these articles was developed over two decades, through repeated urban exploration trips within the Navy Yard. Generally speaking, access to the Navy Yard is restricted and heavily monitored. While not as heavily guarded as it was in the past, Navy Yard security is known to kick out anyone who strays off the very few approved pathways. This restricted access makes nearly all of the content of these articles below rather exclusive.
Deeper Dive Navy Yard articles:
Need more? Go Beyond The Wall
This book is a unique in depth view into this historic NYC property.
Told as a series of adventure stories from an urban explorer’s perspective, this book uncovers the secret histories of various buildings within the Navy Yard.
