Governors Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Castle Williams

Changing with the Times

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011

1. Castle Williams Marker

Inscription.
Welcome to Castle Williams. This stone fort was built in 1811 to defend New York City against naval assault.

The attack never came. Over the next two hundred years, the once state-of-the-art fort was re-used: as housing for army recruits, as a military prison, and briefly as a Coast Guard community center.

The National Park Service invites you to explore Castle Williams. Visit exhibits inside and outside its walls. Take a tour. Talk to a ranger. Experience a national treasure.

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 1811.

Location. 40° 41.548′ N, 74° 1.131′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Governors Island. Marker is at the intersection of Hay Road and Andes Road, on the left when traveling south on Hay Road. Marker is located on Governors Island, near the entrance to Castle Williams. 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. A different marker also named Castle Williams (a few steps from this marker); Governors Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Early North American Colonist Remains (within shouting distance

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of this marker); a different marker also named Castle Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); Group Effort (within shouting distance of this marker); Across the Harbor: Remembering September 11th (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory Of Alexander Kidd (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Promenade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

More about this marker. The background of the map contains a map of Governors Island. The location of the marker is indicated, as well as Castle Williams, South Battery, Fort Jay and flagpole, Soissons Dock Ferry Slip, and other features. It has a caption of “Governors Island in 1813 (dotted area) and the island today. Landfill from excavation for the New York City subway and dredged material from New York Harbor were used to add 102 acres in the early 1900s. The red line shows the 22-acre Governors Island National Monument, established in 2001 and administered by the National Park Service.

Five pictures appear along the bottom of the marker. These have captions of: “Castle

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011

2. Castle Williams Marker

Williams was built between 1807 and 1811 in New York Harbor.”; “During the Civil War, Castle Williams housed army recruits – as well as Confederate prisoners, Union deserters, and spies.”; “After the Civil War, the U.S. Army continued to use Castle Williams as a prison.”; “When the army left in 1966, the Coast Guard took over. The fort was initially used as a community center.” and “In 2003 Castle Williams came into the care of the National Park Service. Today rangers, volunteers, and partners help you uncover its stories.”

Also see . . .
1. History of Governors Island. The Trust for Governors Island website. (Submitted on September 11, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Governors Island National Monument. National Park Service website. (Submitted on September 11, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Castle Williams image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011

3. Castle Williams

Entrance to Castle Williams image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011

4. Entrance to Castle Williams

Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 496 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 11, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.