Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Historic Fort Wadsworth

Since 1636

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, 1990

1. Historic Fort Wadsworth Marker

Inscription. As its discoverer in 1574, Verrazzano observed the surrounding terrain and called it Agoleme. Upon this high ground Lenape Indians gazed down on Hudson’s Half Moon as it sailed through the Narrows in 1609. In 1636, the Dutch erected the first block house, destroyed by Indians in 1655 and re-built in 1663 - one year before the Duke of York’s men took possession of the territory. The British enlarged the fort and maintained control of the entire area until their departure in 1763. firing in this direction what may have been “the last shot of the Revolutionary War.”

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Military • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1574.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 40° 36.27′ N, 74° 3.262′ W. Marker was on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It was in Fort Wadsworth. Marker could be reached from Battery Road. Touch for map. Marker was 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 location. South Cliff (within shouting distance of this marker); Verrazano – Narrows Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery Weed

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Tompkins (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Defending New York Harbor (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Battery Weed (about 300 feet away); Battery Duane (about 400 feet away); Fort Wadsworth (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.

Also see . . .
1. National Park Service - Gateway National Recreation Area. (Submitted on May 26, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Fort Wadsworth. (Submitted on May 26, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
3. Battery Weed. (Submitted on May 26, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. Battery Weed; Giovanni da Verrazzano; Verrazzano Narrows.

Historic Fort Wadsworth Marker at the Verrazono Narrows image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, 1990

2. Historic Fort Wadsworth Marker at the Verrazono Narrows

Fort Wadsworth - Battery Weed (constr. 1845-1861) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, 1990

3. Fort Wadsworth - Battery Weed (constr. 1845-1861)

Battery Weed image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2009

4. Battery Weed

Historic Fort Wadsworth Marker - missing, 2001 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, 2001

5. Historic Fort Wadsworth Marker - missing, 2001

The marker would have been in the distance, on the grass verge along the stone wall. The NPS "Fort Tompkins" wayside near the flagpole had been installed by then.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,353 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on May 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 26, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on August 16, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on May 10, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.