Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Tompkins
Fort Wadsworth
— Gateway Nat’l Rec Area —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
1. Fort Tompkins Marker
Two forts, both named Fort Tompkins, have occupied this hill. In 1814 the state of New York started the first Fort Tompkins – a pentagon-shaped stone structure with round bastions at each of the five angles. Never fully completed, the first fort lay deserted by the 1840s.
The U.S. Army built this second Fort Tompkins from 1859 to 1876 using granite, brick, and sandstone. Originally designed to protect Battery Weed below, the fort mounted only one large gun. Fort Tompkins’ main role was housing soldiers. For almost a century, the parade ground behind these walls witnessed a daily routine of drills, reviews, and bugle calls.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.
Location. 40° 36.286′ N, 74° 3.322′ W. Marker is on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It is in Fort Wadsworth. Marker is on Hudson Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in the Fort Wadsworth Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Staten Island NY 10305, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Defending New York Harbor (a few steps from this marker); Battery Weed (a few steps from this
this page online
More about this marker. The background of the marker is a photograph of “Soldiers drilling on Fort Tompkins’ parade grounds, c. 1920.” Also at the upper right of the marker are an 1854 lithograph of the First Fort Tompkins, and an 1865 U.S. Army drawing of the second Fort Tompkins.
The bottom of the marker contains illustrations of Fort Wadsworth’s Defense Systems during different time periods: First System Defenses, 1794 – 1807; Second System Defenses, 1807 – 1817; Third System Defenses, 1817 – 1876 (which includes Battery Weed); and Endicott System Defenses, 1890 – 1910.
Also see . . . Fort Tompkins (Staten Island).
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
2. Fort Tompkins Marker
Fort Tompkins can be seen in the photo behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
3. Fort Tompkins
This photo of Fort Tompkins was taken from near the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
4. Fort Tompkins
The northern gate of Fort Tompkins can be seen in this photo.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, July 31, 2013
5. Fort Tompkins panorama
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,216 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 14, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on May 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
