Castle Clinton National Monument, New York

Castle Clinton, New York City
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castle_clinton_skyline.jpg
Author: Kaleks


Castle Clinton National Monument is a heritage site preserving Castle Clinton, a fort built by the United States to protect the southern tip of Manhattan. The site in Battery Park covers an area of one acre (0.4 ha) under the shadows of the towering skyscrapers.

Castle Clinton was built in 1808 after the Americans had demolished an earlier fort a short distance away, and subsequently realised they needed a fortification to protect Manhattan from any form of attacks. It was during a time leading up to the War of 1812 with the British.

Castle Clinton National Monument, New York
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castleclinton.JPG
Author: Jim.henderson


Castle Clinton was completed in 1811. Designed by John McComb Jr and Jonathan Williams, it was originally known as West Battery, as opposed to East Battery which is today called Castle William of Governors Island. In 1815 West Battery was renamed Castle Clinton in honor of New York City Mayor Dewitt Clinton.

Castle Clinton never saw any fighting. After the threat of war has subsided, the US Army stopped using it in 1821, and then in 1824, it was leased out to New York City and was known as Castle Garden. That was the most familiar name for it, for most of the time. As Castle Garden, the fort was a venue of a beer garden. At different times, it was also an exhibition site, an opera house and a theater.

In 1855 the fort was used as an emigrant landing depot, a role it played until 1890, when immigration procedures were taken over by the Federal Government, and a larger facility opened on Ellis Island. In 1895 Castle Clinton housed the New York City Aquarium.

In 1941 Castle Clinton was very nearly demolished, when Park Commissioner Robert Moses wanted to tear it down, to build a bridge linking Battery Park to Brooklyn. However subsequent public outcry saved the historic building.

The Castle Clinton National Monument was declated on 12 August, 1946. It was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places on 15 October, 1966.

Visiting Castle Clinton National Monument, New York

Castle Clinton is located in Battery Park. The monument is open daily from 8:30 am to except Christmas Day. Entry is free.

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