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Blockhouse (Central Park)
Encyclopedia
The Blockhouse is a small fort in the northern part of Central Park
, in New York City
, New York
, and is the oldest structure standing in the park. It is located on an overlook of Manhattan schist
, with a clear view of the flat surrounding areas north of Central Park. Finished in 1814, the fort was part of a series of fortifications in northern Manhattan, which originally also included three fortifications in Harlem Heights (now known as Morningside Heights
). Officially known as Blockhouse #1, the fort is the last remaining fortification from these defenses. Olmsted and Vaux treated Blockhouse No. 1 as a picturesque ruin, romantically overrun with vines and Alpine shrubbery.
, British and Hessian troops sealed off lower Manhattan from colonial armies by controlling the pass and defending it through a series of fortifications. From trial excavations performed in 1995, it has been determined that the foundations of Blockhouse #1 date back to this time of British occupation of Manhattan.
The current fort was constructed in three phases:
.
To get there by subway: Cathedral Parkway – 110th Street (IND Eighth Avenue Line) (West side – trains), Central Park North – 110th Street (IRT Lenox Avenue Line) (East side – trains), 110th Street (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)
( trains)
However, the British did not attack New York City, and as such the Blockhouse never saw combat. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve 1814, and the fort was abandoned almost overnight. It was subsequently used for ammunition storage. In the early 1900s it was used as a place to celebrate patriotic holidays.
The structure is currently unoccupied and unused. A large metal gate covers the door and securely closed access to this location. Occasional tours are provided by the Urban Park Rangers
, but independent exploration of the internal fort is not allowed.
. However the plaque was stolen from this location many years ago and was noticed to be gone on March 28, 1913 at 3 pm. The plaque was documented in a copyrighted picture and was located above the door. The plaque read "This blockhouse was part of a line of fortifications extending from the Hudson to the Harlem River built for the defense of New York by it's patriotic citizens during the war of 1812-1815. This tablet is erected by the Woman's Auxiliary to the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society A.D. 1905". In 1999, the Blockhouse had a new sign erected at its location describing its history. However, as of 2003, this plaque is also missing.
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
, in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and is the oldest structure standing in the park. It is located on an overlook of Manhattan schist
Schist
The schists constitute a group of medium-grade metamorphic rocks, chiefly notable for the preponderance of lamellar minerals such as micas, chlorite, talc, hornblende, graphite, and others. Quartz often occurs in drawn-out grains to such an extent that a particular form called quartz schist is...
, with a clear view of the flat surrounding areas north of Central Park. Finished in 1814, the fort was part of a series of fortifications in northern Manhattan, which originally also included three fortifications in Harlem Heights (now known as Morningside Heights
Morningside Heights, Manhattan
Morningside Heights is a neighborhood of the Borough of Manhattan in New York City and is chiefly known as the home of institutions such as Columbia University, Teachers College, Barnard College, the Manhattan School of Music, Bank Street College of Education, the Cathedral of Saint John the...
). Officially known as Blockhouse #1, the fort is the last remaining fortification from these defenses. Olmsted and Vaux treated Blockhouse No. 1 as a picturesque ruin, romantically overrun with vines and Alpine shrubbery.
Construction
This structure was likely built on a foundation of a structure dating back to a much earlier date. In 1776 during the Revolutionary WarAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, British and Hessian troops sealed off lower Manhattan from colonial armies by controlling the pass and defending it through a series of fortifications. From trial excavations performed in 1995, it has been determined that the foundations of Blockhouse #1 date back to this time of British occupation of Manhattan.
The current fort was constructed in three phases:
- In the first phase, Under the direction of General Joseph Gardner SwiftJoseph Gardner SwiftJoseph Gardner Swift, the first graduate of the United States Military Academy, was born on 31 December 1783 on Nantucket Island, the son of Foster Swift and his wife, Deborah...
, the fort was hastily constructed by New Yorkers during the War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
in anticipation of a British invasion. The building was assembled by volunteers who brought the building materials with them, hence the red sandstoneSandstoneSandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
blocks included with the Manhattan schistSchistThe schists constitute a group of medium-grade metamorphic rocks, chiefly notable for the preponderance of lamellar minerals such as micas, chlorite, talc, hornblende, graphite, and others. Quartz often occurs in drawn-out grains to such an extent that a particular form called quartz schist is...
. The fort consists of a two-story bunker surrounding a small area, inside which a wooden platform would originally have stood. The wooded platform was sunken with a revolving turret for a cannon. The sides hold small gunports. This structure was likely connected to the ground by a small staircase. Construction on the tower was completed in 1814, two days before the Treaty of GhentTreaty of GhentThe Treaty of Ghent , signed on 24 December 1814, in Ghent , was the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812 between the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
was signed to end the war. - The second phase was during its use as an ammunition and storage building. During this time the top two feet of stone work were added. They are noticeably different in color, composition and stonework.
- Later at the turn of the 20th century, the current entrance and staircase were added, as was the tall flagpole in the center of the fort.
Location
Blockhouse #1 stands in the northwest corner of Central Park, in a wooded area that is still rugged, high, and hard to reach. It is located south Of North Dr and north of Huddlestone Br—interior Of Drives in the flagship Park Zone. The building overlooks Harlem Meer and the Loula D. Lasker Pool-RinkLasker Rink
Lasker Rink is located in the northern part of Central Park in the New York City borough of Manhattan, just south of the 110th Street entrance between 106th and 108th Street. It opened in 1966 and lies between Harlem Meer and the East Drive....
.
To get there by subway: Cathedral Parkway – 110th Street (IND Eighth Avenue Line) (West side – trains), Central Park North – 110th Street (IRT Lenox Avenue Line) (East side – trains), 110th Street (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)
110th Street (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)
110th Street is a local station on the IRT Lexington Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located in Spanish Harlem at the intersection of 110th Street and Lexington Avenue, it is served by the 6 train at all times, the <6> train weekdays in the peak direction and the 4 train during late...
( trains)
Uses
This structure was initially built as a defensive fort for New York City and soldiers were stationed at the Blockhouse. At its height, nearly 2000 New York state militiamen garrisoned the fortifications.However, the British did not attack New York City, and as such the Blockhouse never saw combat. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve 1814, and the fort was abandoned almost overnight. It was subsequently used for ammunition storage. In the early 1900s it was used as a place to celebrate patriotic holidays.
The structure is currently unoccupied and unused. A large metal gate covers the door and securely closed access to this location. Occasional tours are provided by the Urban Park Rangers
New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
The City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation is the department of government of the City of New York responsible for maintaining the city's parks system, preserving and maintaining the ecological diversity of the city's natural areas, and furnishing recreational opportunities for city's...
, but independent exploration of the internal fort is not allowed.
Lost plaque
The Blockhouse had a bronze tablet commemorating its history placed above the door June 10, 1905. The ceremony was performed by Miss Mary Van Buren Vanderpoel, then president of the Women's Auxiliary. Receiving the plaque was scheduled to be Park Commissioner Pallas but due to his unexplained absence, it was accepted by General Frederick D. GrantFrederick Dent Grant
Frederick Dent Grant was a soldier and United States minister to Austria-Hungary. Grant was the first son of General of the Army and President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant and Julia Grant. He was named after his uncle, Frederick Tracy Dent...
. However the plaque was stolen from this location many years ago and was noticed to be gone on March 28, 1913 at 3 pm. The plaque was documented in a copyrighted picture and was located above the door. The plaque read "This blockhouse was part of a line of fortifications extending from the Hudson to the Harlem River built for the defense of New York by it's patriotic citizens during the war of 1812-1815. This tablet is erected by the Woman's Auxiliary to the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society A.D. 1905". In 1999, the Blockhouse had a new sign erected at its location describing its history. However, as of 2003, this plaque is also missing.
Security
The Blockhouse is located in a secluded part of the park. It is best to travel there with a group and never alone.External links
- New York Parks Site
- Forgotten New York
- Central Park 2000
- Picture History
- Blockhouse Plaque
- Securing Central Park by WILLIAM BRYK, New York Sun, January 12, 2005
