Fort Totten in Queens in Queens County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Main Entrance Gates
Constructed in 1889
Original Use: Main Entrance Gates
Current Use: Welcome Gates to Fort Totten Park
Installed in 1889, these gates replaced structures less permanent and less imposing in appearance. Each of the black gates are made of wrought iron and attached to gateposts composed of granite blocks, echoing the granite used in the Water Battery at the northern tip of the park. The registered historic landmark now greets patrons on their way into the park.
[Captions:]
Torpedo Toppers
The silver spheres that sit atop the gates' granite pillars are either underwater harbor mines, known as "torpedoes," or the placement buoys that were used to align the explosives in the Long Island Sound. The torpedoes were distributed during the Spanish American War and could be detonated by a control tower on shore if enemy ships entered the water.
The torpedoes were developed, manufactured, stored, and repaired here at the base. These spheres now serve as a reminder of the advancements in technology that took place at Fort Totten.
Additional wrought-iron fencing was installed on each side in 1904, and the gates remain a prominent example of the Romanesque Revival style or architecture found in the park.
Erected by NYC
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 40° 47.458′ N, 73° 46.883′ W. Marker is in Queens, New York, in Queens County. It is in Fort Totten. It is on Totten Avenue south of Duane Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Totten Ave, Bayside NY 11359, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Totten (here, next to this marker); Take a Walking Tour of Fort Totten Park! (a few steps from this marker); Thorne-Wilkins Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); 207 Totten Ave. (approx. 0.2 miles away); 638 Totten Ave. (approx. 0.2 miles away); 208 Totten Ave.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort Totten Park (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 19, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
