Castle Clinton
New York
Castle Clinton is the old fort at the far end of Battery Park, on the southern tip of Manhattan. In two hundred years it has been a fort, a concert hall and America's front door for millions.
A fort on the water
The fort was built between 1808 and 1811 on a man-made islet off the shore. It was called West Battery and was a small harbor fort. Later it took the name of DeWitt Clinton, mayor and then governor of New York.
Later the shore was extended with landfill, that is, earth and rocks dumped into the water. So the fort ended up inside the park, far from the waves.
What to see from outside
From the path you can see the thick reddish walls. High up runs a row of small windows, opened to look out to sea.
All around there are trees, benches and seagulls. From the edge of the park you can see the harbor, with its islands and the boats coming and going.
Parties, music and new arrivals
From 1824 the fort was called Castle Garden. New Yorkers came here to eat, watch fireworks and listen to concerts.
From 1855 to 1890 families who came to live in America landed here. It was the first center for welcoming new arrivals, run by New York State. Today it is a national monument, cared for by the National Park Service.
