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1812 in NYC |
War of 1812 Fortifications in New York CityDuring the War of 1812, New York City was protected by a series of fortifications, and the many battles of the second war for independence did not reach the City. Among the fortifications of the period, Castle Clinton, Castle Williams, Fort Jay, and Blockhouse No. 1 still stand.
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New York City Chapter United States Daughters of 1812 New York City, New York |
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Web hyperlinks to non - National Society of the United States Daughters of 1812 sites are not the responsibility of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, the State Organizations, or individual 1812 Chapters.
The 1812 Insignia is the property of, and is copyrighted by the National Society of the United States Daughters of 1812. Authorization for use must be received from the National Society. |
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Exterior wall of star-shaped Fort Jay with its dry moat. Note the south Manhattan skyline in the background. |
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The South Battery, built in 1812, to defend Buttermilk Channel. |
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The entry to Castle Clinton in Battery Park |
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Castle Clinton as viewed from the south |
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Blockhouse No. 1 viewed from the south |
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The west wall of Blockhouse No. 1 |
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Three-tiered Castle Williams |
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All photos on this page by Anne Farley |
Castle Clinton National MonumentLocated in Battery ParkLocated at the southern tip of Manhattan in Battery Park, Castle Clinton was built as the “West Battery” between 1808 and 1811 as one of the fortifications guarding New York City and its harbor. At the time of its construction, the fortification was off the south end of Manhattan atop rocks in the Harbor. The fort was renamed Castle Clinton in 1815 in honor of Governor DeWitt Clinton. Castle Clinton was named a National Monument in 1950 and is administered by the National Park Service. Renamed Castle Garden in 1824, the structure served as a public center and theatre until 1855. From 1855 - 1890, it functioned as the country’s principal immigrant depot. And, between 1896 and 1941, it was the New York City Aquarium. Today, Castle Clinton is the site of the ticket booths for visitors to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Blockhouse No. 1Located in Central Park
Perched on a high point atop a rocky outcropping, Blockhouse No. 1, in what is now Central Park, served as a fortification during the War of 1812. One of four such structures built quickly in response to threats of attack from the east or the north, Blockhouse No. 1 (1814) is the sole remaining such building in Manhattan. Although not immediately visible from the West Drive, the fortification is accessible by a paved footpath that leads east from the West Drive at about 107th Street. The building remains locked but is opened during history tours by the NYC Urban Park Rangers.
Governors Island National Monument Governor’s Island, New York Harbor Less than ten minutes from the Southern tip of Manhattan in New York Harbor, and in plain view of the Statue of Liberty, are two additional 1812-era fortifications slated for restoration as part of a major development project under consideration for Governors Island. The three-tiered Castle Williams, completed in 1811, and star-shaped Fort Jay, completed in 1807, are part of the recently declared (2003) Governors Island National Monument, and are the focal points of the Governors Island Historic District. These two fortifications, along with the South Battery, also constructed on Governors Island in 1812, served, along with the West Battery (Castle Clinton) to protect New York Harbor during the War of 1812. The Island is accessible only by ferry. In addition to the 22 acre Historic District, Governors Island also includes 150 acres of undesignated property that is being evaluated by New York City and New York State for potential development. It is expected that resources generated by any development will contribute to restoration of the historic area. During the summer, the National Park Service offers weekday guided tours of the historic sites. On summer weekends, visitors can guide themselves through designated areas with materials available for that purpose. For additional photos of Governor’s Island, click here.
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