Castle Clinton National Monument

Description:

• Castle Clinton National Monument was built in the early eighteenth century as part of a system of forts that would defend New York Harbor. This battery was constructed on the rocks off the tip of Manhattan Island between 1808 and 1811. The fort was never needed to defend the city. In 1817, the fort was renamed Castle Clinton in honor of DeWitt Clinton, Mayor of New York City.

  By 1823 the site was abandoned by the army and given to the city. A year later a restaurant and entertainment center opened at the site, now called Castle Garden. A roof was added in the 1840s and Castle Garden served as an opera house and theater until 1854.

  By 1855, Castle Garden was leased to New York State and it opened as an immigrant-landing depot. During the next 34 years, over eight million people entered the United States through Castle Garden. It was closed in 1890. The building was altered once again and reopened as the New York City Aquarium on December 10, 1896. It was one of the city's most popular attractions until it closed in 1941.

  Castle Clinton is now administered by the National Park Service, which operates a small museum on the site. The exhibits illustrate the history of the structure. Programs offered include ranger-led tours of the structure and costumed interpretation of the site as a defender of New York Harbor in the war of 1812.

  Castle Clinton National Monument is located in Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan, New York City.