Fort Totten (Queens) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Totten |
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| Part of Coast Defenses of Eastern New York | |
| New York City borough of Queens, New York | |
 Fort Totten
Fort Totten
Fort Totten
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| Coordinates | 40°47′31.3″N 73°46′33.9″W / 40.792028°N 73.776083°W |
| Site information | |
| Owner | New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (primarily) |
| Open to the public |
Civil War fort, some other activities |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1862 |
| Built by | United States Army Corps of Engineers |
| In use |
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| Materials | granite |
| Fate | Active use by U.S. Army Reserve. Portions converted for use as public park. Other portions converted for use by the NYPD and FDNY. |
Fort Totten is a historic former United States Army base in Queens, New York City. It sits on the Willets Point peninsula, where the East River meets Long Island Sound. Today, the U.S. Army Reserve still uses part of the fort. However, most of the land is now owned by New York City. It has become a public park and a training center for city services. You can get there by taking the MTA Q13 and Q16 buses.
Contents
History of Fort Totten
Building a Civil War Fort
Construction on what would become Fort Totten started in 1862. The U.S. Government bought the land in 1857 from the Willets family. The fort was first called the Fort at Willets Point. Its main job was to protect the East River entrance to New York Harbor. It worked with Fort Schuyler across the river in the Bronx.
This fort was one of many built to defend the coast during the American Civil War. The first plans were drawn up by Robert E. Lee in 1857. Later, Joseph G. Totten, a top engineer, changed the plans. The fort was special because it was designed to have four levels of cannons facing the water. Only a few other forts in the U.S. had this feature.
However, construction stopped after the Civil War. This was because masonry (stone) forts were easily damaged by new, powerful cannons. Only one and a half levels of the fort's walls were ever finished. The fort was known as Camp Morgan from 1861 to 1898. It was named after New York Governor Edwin D. Morgan.
Engineer School and New Ideas (1869-1890)
In 1869, the U.S. Army Engineer School moved to Fort Totten. It stayed there until 1901. One of their first tasks was to create underwater minefields. These mines would protect harbors from enemy ships. Major Henry Larcom Abbot led this work.
In the 1870s, two new gun batteries were built. One had 27 guns, and the other had 16 mortars. The mortar battery was a test for a new design called the "Abbot Quad." This design, created by Major Abbot, was later used for large 12-inch mortars. These mortars were big guns that fired shells high into the air.
Upgrading Defenses (1890–1916)
In 1885, a group called the Board of Fortifications suggested many new ways to defend the coast. Fort Totten was chosen for major upgrades. In 1898, the fort was officially named Fort Totten. It honored Major General Joseph Gilbert Totten, who designed many forts.
New gun batteries were built between 1897 and 1904. These were part of the Coast Defenses of Eastern New York. They included different types of large guns and mortars. For example, Battery King had eight 12-inch mortars. A special building for controlling underwater mines was also built around 1900.
Most of Fort Totten's large guns were removed by 1935. This was because new defense plans focused on other areas. In 1901, the Engineer School moved away. The United States Army Coast Artillery Corps then took over the fort's defense work.
Fort Totten in World War I
When the U.S. entered World War I, Fort Totten's role changed. It became a place for training soldiers. Many of its large guns were taken apart. They were sent to other places or used for railway artillery. This meant guns were put on train cars to move them around. For example, Battery Mahan's two 12-inch guns were used for railway artillery. Battery Stuart's 5-inch guns were put on wheels and sent to France.
Between the World Wars
In 1920, some older 3-inch guns were removed from Fort Totten. Around this time, a battery of anti-aircraft guns was built. These guns were designed to shoot down enemy planes. By 1935, Fort Totten's last heavy guns, the mortars of Battery King, were removed. This meant the fort no longer had its main defense role. However, four 3-inch guns remained and were used through World War II.
Fort Totten in World War II
In December 1941, Fort Totten became very important. It became the main office for anti-aircraft defenses along the entire east coast. This meant it helped organize how to protect cities from air attacks. In 1942, Fort Totten's defense command joined with the larger Harbor Defenses of New York.
Cold War Era (1950s-1970s)
In 1954, Fort Totten became a key site for the Project Nike air defense system. While no Nike missiles were actually at the fort, it was the main office for the New York area's missile defenses. It housed administrative offices and living quarters for personnel. By 1966, it was the headquarters for the 1st Region, Army Air Defense Command.
In 1974, after the Vietnam War, Fort Totten was closed as a regular Army base. The remaining military presence was taken over by the U.S. Army Reserve.
Fort Totten Today
Today, the U.S. Army Reserve still has a presence at Fort Totten. The 77th Sustainment Brigade and its units are located there.
Most of the fort is now a public park. The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation offers tours. You can reach the park from the Cross Island Parkway and Clearview Expressway. The Fort Totten Visitor's Center has a museum about the fort's history.
Parts of the fort are used by the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the FDNY for training. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary also has a base here.
During winter, you can see many types of migratory birds in the nearby waters. While some buildings are old and unused, Fort Totten is also a sports complex. It has an outdoor pool, baseball fields, and soccer fields for youth sports. Fort Totten is recognized as a New York City Historic District.
Fort Totten Officers' Club
The Fort Totten Officers' Club is often called "the Castle." It is now home to the Bayside Historical Society. This group hosts events, history exhibits, and cultural programs. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
The club building was designed in the 1870s. It was built in the neo-Gothic style, which was popular then. The design was a standard one used by the Army for military bases. The engineer castle symbol used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is similar to this building's design.
See also
- Fort Totten (disambiguation)
- Seacoast defense in the United States
- Totten (disambiguation)
- United States Army Coast Artillery Corps
