Nutter's Battery facts for kids
Nutter's Battery is a special spot in the North Woods of Central Park in Manhattan, New York City. It's a place where you can look out over the beautiful Harlem Meer to the north. This area was once part of a defense system built a long time ago.
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What is Nutter's Battery?
Nutter's Battery is a scenic overlook located in the North Woods of Central Park. It offers great views, especially towards the Harlem Meer to the north. A "battery" in this sense means a place where cannons were once set up.
Why Was it Built?
This battery was built during the War of 1812. This war was fought between the United States and Great Britain. The people of New York City were worried about a British invasion. They thought the British might attack from the north.
Defending New York City
To protect the city, a large system of forts and walls was created. Nutter's Battery was a small but important part of this defense. It was designed to help stop any enemy forces trying to enter the city.
Where is Nutter's Battery?
Nutter's Battery is found in the northern part of Central Park. Old maps show it was a "redoubt." A redoubt is a small, enclosed fort. It was connected to other defenses nearby.
Connecting Forts and Paths
The battery was linked to Fort Fish by earthworks. These were walls made of earth. They followed an old road called the Old Post Road. Near 107th Street and Sixth Avenue (Lenox Avenue), these earthworks led to a gatehouse. This gatehouse was at a place called McGowan's Pass. From there, the earthworks continued up a rocky hill. They connected to another fort, Fort Clinton.
Who Was Valentine Nutter?
The battery was named after Valentine Nutter. He was the person who owned the land around this area at the time. It was common to name forts or defenses after local landowners.
What Happened to the Battery?
After the War of 1812 ended, the need for the battery disappeared. The walls and structures slowly fell apart. Over time, they completely vanished. In 1945, the Parks Department built a low wall. This wall helped mark the original spot of the battery. Later, in 2014, the Central Park Conservancy rebuilt the wall. They also added new paths and planted more trees and plants. This made the area a beautiful and historic spot for visitors today.
