Flagstaff Fort
A Patriot redoubt built in June 1776, located on Signal Hill at The Narrows on Staten Island. Site of an earlier 1663 blockhouse that stood until at least 1808,[1] preceded by one built by Dutch settler David Pieterszen de Vries in 1636 and destroyed in the Peach Tree War of 1655.[2] Taken by the British in July 1776 and by July 1779 a redoubt with gun platforms for 26 cannon was built. Two months later, six 24-pounders and four 18-pounders were recorded on hand. In 1782 the fort had five bastions and several barbette batteries. Evacuated by the British in 1783 at the end of the Revolution.[1] In 1806 Flagstaff Fort was demolished and Fort Tompkins was built on the site, reportedly enclosing the 1663 blockhouse with red sandstone.[3] That fort along with others grew into Fort Wadsworth.[3] The site is now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area of the National Park Service.
| Flagstaff Fort | |
|---|---|
| Staten Island, New York | |
  Flagstaff Fort  Flagstaff Fort  Flagstaff Fort | |
| Coordinates | 40°36′18″N 74°03′24″W |
| Type | Redoubt |
| Site information | |
| Owner | National Park Service |
| Site history | |
| Built | June 1776 |
| Built by | Patriot forces |
| In use | 1776-1783 |
| Demolished | Replaced by Fort Tompkins in 1806 |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | National Park Service |
References
- Roberts, pp. 587-589, 604-605
- Fort Wadsworth at American Forts Network
- Roberts, pp. 587-589
- Roberts, Robert B. (1988). Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States. New York: Macmillan. ISBN 0-02-926880-X.