Blockhouse No. 1 facts for kids
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Blockhouse No. 1, also known as The Blockhouse, is a small fort located in the North Woods part of Central Park in Manhattan, New York City. It was finished in 1814. This makes it the second oldest structure in the park. The only older one is Cleopatra's Needle. It is also the oldest building still standing that was originally built inside the park area. The Blockhouse sits on a high rocky spot. From there, it has a clear view of the flat land north of Central Park.
This fort was one of many defenses built in northern Manhattan. There were also three forts in Harlem Heights, which is now Morningside Heights. Other blockhouses, numbered 2, 3, and 4, were in Morningside Park. Blockhouse No. 1 is the only one of these old forts that remains today. The people who designed Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, saw the Blockhouse as a cool, old ruin. They let vines and plants grow around it.
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Why Was Blockhouse No. 1 Built?
The Blockhouse was built on top of an even older structure. In 1776, during the Revolutionary War, British and Hessian soldiers controlled lower Manhattan. They built forts to defend a pass and keep colonial armies out. Digging in 1995 showed that the Blockhouse's foundations might be from this time. This was when the British occupied Manhattan.
How Was Blockhouse No. 1 Constructed?
The current fort was built in three main steps.
Building for the War of 1812
The first part was built quickly during the War of 1812. New Yorkers were worried about a British invasion. Volunteers helped build it, bringing their own materials. This is why you can see both red sandstone and local rock in its walls. The fort is a two-story bunker. Inside, there was a wooden platform for a cannon that could turn. Small openings on the sides were for guns. This main part was finished on December 22, 1814. This was just two days before the Treaty of Ghent was signed, ending the war.
Later Changes to the Fort
The second step happened when the fort was used to store ammunition. During this time, the top two feet of stone were added. You can tell they are different because of their color and how they were put together. Later, around the early 1900s, the current entrance and staircase were added. A tall flagpole was also put in the center of the fort. In 1905, the fort was described as being about 19 feet tall on its west side. Its base was about 34 feet square.
Where Is Blockhouse No. 1 Located?
Blockhouse No. 1 is in the North Woods, in the northwest part of Central Park. This area is still wild, high up, and a bit tricky to reach. It is south of North Drive and north of the Huddlestone Arch. The building looks out over Harlem Meer and the Lasker Rink to the east.
What Was Blockhouse No. 1 Used For?
This building was first made to defend New York City. Soldiers were stationed there. At its busiest, almost 2,000 New York state soldiers were at these forts. However, the British never attacked New York City. So, the Blockhouse never saw any fighting. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve 1814. The fort was left empty soon after. It was then used to store ammunition. In the early 1900s, people used it to celebrate patriotic holidays.
Today, the Blockhouse is empty and not used. A large metal gate covers the door. Sometimes, the Urban Park Rangers give tours. But you are not allowed to go inside on your own.
The Missing Plaques
A bronze plaque was placed above the Blockhouse door on June 10, 1905. It told the fort's history. Mary Van Buren Vanderpoel, who led a historical society group, put it there. General Frederick Dent Grant accepted the plaque. This plaque was stolen and noticed missing on March 28, 1913. A picture showed it above the door. The plaque said the blockhouse was part of a defense line. This line stretched from the Hudson River to the Harlem River. It was built by New York citizens during the War of 1812-1815.
In 1999, a new sign was put up to describe the Blockhouse's history. However, this second plaque has also gone missing.
