Battery Park in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Battery Wall Discovery
[Castle Clinton National Monument]
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 8, 2022
In spring 2006, during the South Ferry excavation in the Battery, four sections of a colonial era wall were identified by archaeologists. Although each of the four sections exhibited unique features, they are all likely part of the same wall, constructed between 1730 and 1766. Differences among the sections may be due to successive periods of construction, which would account for the various building materials and construction techniques used. Sections 1 and 2 were built directly on bedrock and made of mortared sandstone. Sections 3 and 4 were dry-laid shift, with section 3 built upon a cobble foundation and section 4 standing on a sand foundation.
The section pictured below [on the marker] is associated with a large log feature, which may have been a portion of a pier. It was documented in detailed drawings, and samples of the wood were taken for dating. Because of the archaeological analysis, the wall was determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Ongoing study of this important discovery will provide a more detailed history of the Battery than has ever been possible before.
The portion of the wall temporarily displayed here in Castle Clinton National Monument is from section 1, the first to be unearthed on November 8, 2005. The historic stones have been safely preserved and are presented in their original configuration.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Forts and Castles. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1776.
Location. 40° 42.221′ N, 74° 1.019′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Battery Park. Marker can be reached from State Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located inside Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lives of Castle Clinton: (here, next to this marker); History of the Battery Wall (here, next to this marker); Norwegian Maritime Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Federal Hall (a few steps from this marker); Emma Lazarus (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); Manning Castle Clinton’s 28 guns (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. Documented architectural makeup of the Battery Wall and several photographs of archaeological work being done on the wall appear on the marker. Also present are two maps of lower Manhattan, each indicating the locations of the wall discoveries. One of the maps is of the present-day Battery, while the other is a map drawn in 1767.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These markers are in the "Walls within Walls" exhibit in Castle Clinton National Monument.
Also see . . . Castle Clinton National Monument – History & Culture. National Park Service website. (Submitted on June 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 8, 2022
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,220 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 10, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on June 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on October 10, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on June 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6, 7. submitted on April 7, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.