Ellis Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Gibson: Uncovering the Past
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
1. Fort Gibson: Uncovering the Past Marker
If you were standing here in 1812, you would be looking at the exterior wall of Fort Gibson, which was five and a half feet thick and sixteen feet high. What you see now are the remains of that wall’s lower half. These remains, which continue seven feet into the ground, have been buried by the massive amounts of landfill that were used to expand Ellis Island.
The outer fort wall was supported by stone buttresses backed by mounded earth and a second wall. You can still see the remains of the buttresses of the second wall behind the first. Within the walls were barracks for soldiers and officers, a hot-shot furnace (used to heat iron shot, which could be fired from a cannon to set fire to targets), and storage buildings, including a powder magazine. The portion of the walls that has been uncovered represents approximately twenty-five percent of the entire Fort Gibson battery.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 40° 41.941′ N, 74° 2.328′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Ellis Island. Marker is located on the north side of Ellis Island, near the American Immigrant Wall of Honor.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Gibson: The Other Ellis Island Story (here, next to this marker); The American Immigrant Wall of Honor ® (a few steps from this marker); Fort Gibson: Ammunition to Immigration (a few steps from this marker); Fort Gibson: Oyster Banks to Batteries (a few steps from this marker); Fort Gibson: Defending the Approaches (a few steps from this marker); Fort Gibson: The New York Harbor System (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The American Immigrant Wall of Honor ® (within shouting distance of this marker); Delaware Indian Burials (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. An early sketch of the fortifications on Ellis Island appears at the left of the marker. Next to this is a picture Fort Gibson c. 1870 from the Collection of Statue of Liberty N.M.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
2. Fort Gibson Marker
The stone walls mentioned on the marker can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
3. Markers on Ellis Island
Two markers are found at this location. The Fort Gibson: Uncovering the Past marker is seen here on the right.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
4. Fort Gibson: Uncovering the Past Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
5. Walls of Fort Gibson
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
6. Walls of Fort Gibson
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 620 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 8, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
