New York's coastal defences reached their peak during the War of 1812, by which time there were over twelve forts and batteries defending the city from attack from the sea.
The Southwest Battery was constructed at the southernmost tip of Manhattan Island between 1808 and 1811, and as a result the area around the battery was named battery Park. The fort was never called upon to fire during the war with Great Britain, and in 1817 it was renamed Castle Clinton in honour of DeWitt Clinton, the Mayor and later Governor of New York.
The US Army handed the fort over to the city in 1823, and in 1855 it became the main immigrant landing and processing point for the eastern United States. It retained this role until it was close in 1890, its role having been transferred to the new facility on Ellis Island. In 1896 the building became an aquarium that remained open until 1941. It avoided being demolished after the aquarium closed, and in 1946 it became a National Monument.
The Southwest Battery was constructed at the southernmost tip of Manhattan Island between 1808 and 1811, and as a result the area around the battery was named battery Park. The fort was never called upon to fire during the war with Great Britain, and in 1817 it was renamed Castle Clinton in honour of DeWitt Clinton, the Mayor and later Governor of New York.
The US Army handed the fort over to the city in 1823, and in 1855 it became the main immigrant landing and processing point for the eastern United States. It retained this role until it was close in 1890, its role having been transferred to the new facility on Ellis Island. In 1896 the building became an aquarium that remained open until 1941. It avoided being demolished after the aquarium closed, and in 1946 it became a National Monument.
Nice little fort in a great location.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed the Big Apple when you were there or are you there again now?
Jim
Jim Duncan,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed New York whilst I was there ... but as my latest blog entry explains, I have been somewhere else more recently!
All the best,
Bob