Battery Park in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
History of Pier A
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2017
1. History of Pier A Marker
Pier A, a designated New York City landmark, was constructed by the Department of Docks' third Engineer-in-Chief, George S. Greene Jr. between 1884 and 1886. The pier's two-story building served as the headquarters of the Department of Docks and the Police Department's Harbor Patrol and was also home to a firehouse for the Fire Department's Marine Division. This photograph depicts Pier A between 1902 and 1904 after the construction of an inshore extension but before the addition of the third story in 1904.
Pier A and the adjacent plaza were renovated between 2008 and 2013. The work included repairs to the substructure, replacement of the pier decking, and refurbishment of the building façade. The sculpted cast iron flagpole bases, which are visible in the photograph, were also refurbished and reinstalled in the plaza. Pier A opened to the general public for the first time in history in 2014 as a visitor center, restaurant, and event space.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 40° 42.259′ N, 74° 1.05′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Battery Park. Marker can be reached from Batteru Place
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. History of New Pier 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); American Merchant Mariners' Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named American Merchant Mariners' Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); New York Korean War Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named New York Korean War Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Norwegian Maritime Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Emma Lazarus (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Battery Wall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Regarding History of Pier A. Pier A was built from 1884 to 1886 to serve the New York City Department of Docks and Harbor Police.
The design mirrored the Statue of Liberty. The roof was tin, painted green to resemble copper.
The pier was expanded in 1900 and again in 1919 with a clock installed in the pier's tower as a memorial to 116,000 US servicemen who died during World War I.
The New York City
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2017
2. Marker detail: Pier A between 1902 and 1904
The pier is on the National Register of Historic Places (1975), and is a New York City landmark (1977)
Also see . . .
1. Pier A Harbor House Opens Downtown.
11/28/2014 - The landmark building at the southern tip of Manhattan that originally housed the city’s docks department and later served as a command post for the city’s fire boats has been turned into a restaurant. (Submitted on March 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. City Pier A.
From 1992 onward, the pier was vacant and fell into disrepair. Several proposals for redevelopment fell through; for instance, in 2007, Daniel L. Doctoroff, deputy mayor for economic development, proposed to use the pier building for the ferry terminal to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and other harbor destinations. A restoration of the pier commenced in 2009. Pier A's restaurant and bar, "Pier A Harbor House", opened to the public in November 2014. (Submitted on March 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. The 1886 Department of Docks' Headquarters - Pier A. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on April 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
4. City Pier A - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on April 7, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2017
3. History of Pier A Marker (wide view; overlooking Pier A Harbor House)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2017
4. Pier A (harbor view)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2017
5. Pier A (wide view)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, November 1999
6. Pier A marker
An earlier "Heritage Trail" marker
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 10, 2015
7. Pier A, October 1998
Taken during the first of the prolonged reconstructions of the pier.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 423 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6, 7. submitted on December 2, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
