Fort Clinton (Central Park) facts for kids
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Fort Clinton was an old fort made of stone and earth. It was built in 1814 in what is now Central Park in New York City. You could find it near where 107th Street is today, a bit west of Fifth Avenue.
This fort was part of a group of forts built to protect New York City. It was the easternmost fort in this series.
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Fort Clinton: A Historic Spot in Central Park
Fort Clinton was an important defense point during the War of 1812. It helped protect the city from possible attacks. The fort was built on a high spot, giving it a good view of the area.
Protecting McGowan's Pass
Fort Clinton was connected to other forts by walls made of earth. To its west was Nutter's Battery. These two forts were linked by earthworks and a gatehouse. This gatehouse was over the Old Post Road at the bottom of McGowan's Pass.
A third fort, Fort Fish, was at the very top of McGowan's Pass. Fort Fish was in charge of both Fort Clinton and Nutter's Battery. It had an amazing view of Long Island Sound, northern Manhattan, and Westchester County. Fort Fish was across the road from Fort Clinton and also connected to Nutter's Battery by another line of earthworks.
Who Was DeWitt Clinton?
The fort was named after DeWitt Clinton. He was a very important person in New York. DeWitt Clinton served as the mayor of New York City for many years. He also became the Governor of New York State.
Fort Clinton's Earlier History
Before Fort Clinton was built, this same spot was used during the American Revolution. From 1776 to 1783, British and Hessian soldiers used it as a small fort. They used it to protect McGowan's Pass while they were in control of New York City.
What You See Today
Today, you won't find the old fort walls. Instead, there's a special memorial at the site of Fort Clinton. This memorial includes a plaque that tells its story. You can also see two cannons, benches, and a flagpole there. It's a quiet place to remember the history of the area.
