Fort Brooklyn facts for kids

Fort Brooklyn was a large fort built by the British Army. It was created to help them control the area of Brooklyn during the American Revolutionary War. This important structure played a role in the history of New York City.

What Was Fort Brooklyn?

Fort Brooklyn was a special type of fort known as a star fort. These forts have many points, like a star, which made them very strong against attacks. The British built it in May 1780. It was used for about a year, from 1780 to 1781.

Where Was Fort Brooklyn Located?

The fort was built in an area called Brooklyn Heights. This is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. It was located near where Pierrepont and Henry Streets are today. It was also only about four blocks away from another fort called Fort Stirling.

What Did Fort Brooklyn Look Like?

Fort Brooklyn was quite large. It was shaped like a square, measuring about 450 feet on each side. It had tall walls, called ramparts, that were 40 to 50 feet high. These walls rose up from the bottom of a deep ditch that went all around the fort.

Each corner of the fort had a strong, pointed part called a bastion. These bastions allowed soldiers to fire at enemies from different angles. Inside the fort, there were buildings for soldiers to live in, called barracks. There were also two special buildings called magazines. These magazines were used to store gunpowder and other supplies for the fort's cannons.

Why Was Fort Brooklyn Important?

The British Army built Fort Brooklyn to help them keep control of Brooklyn during the American Revolutionary War. This war was fought between Great Britain and the American colonies. The fort was occupied by both the British Army and later by the American Continental Army. It was part of the defenses in the area, especially after the Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn.

What Happened to Fort Brooklyn?

After the British left New York on Evacuation Day, the fort was no longer needed. Between 1823 and 1825, Fort Brooklyn was taken down. The land was then used for new buildings and city development. Today, there are no remains of the fort left.