Governors Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Buttermilk Channel and Brooklyn Waterfront
Governors Island
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
1. The Buttermilk Channel and Brooklyn Waterfront Marker
This view looks over the Buttermilk Channel to the Brooklyn waterfront, located only 400 yards away. Many theories surround the naming of this narrow waterway. In years past, the channel was much wider and shallower than it is today – before the piers and the dredging of the channel gave it its current appearance. The waters in this channel were rough and fast, leading to two theories: one, that the appearance of the white water looked like buttermilk; and two, that the fast rough action of the water was actually used to help churn Brooklyn farmers milk. Another theory was that cattle actually crossed the channel to graze on Governors Island. Walt Whitman wrote, “as late as the Revolutionary War cattle were driven across from Brooklyn, over what is now Buttermilk Channel, to Governors Island.”
Across the channel, the Brooklyn waterfront was one of the busiest waterfronts in the nation. The introduction of the steamship in 1815 and the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 meant that the demand for waterfront space was high. Land in Brooklyn was cheaper and more spacious than lower Manhattan and the shipping industry exploded in this area Activity along the waterfront declined in the 1950s when shipping shifted to container systems and less manpower was needed. Though much of the container shipping industry moved
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Along the waterfront to the right, you can see the Atlantic Basin, where a cutting-edge shipyard was built in 1840, with a 200 foot opening and room for 150 ships to be protected on all sides – a unique design at the time. The basin remains today with the terminal for the Queen Mary II and other cruise ships at its southern end. Today, a long swath of the waterfront south of the Brooklyn Bridge will be the site of the new Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.
Location. 40° 41.242′ N, 74° 0.892′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Governors Island. It is at the intersection of Kimmel Road and Comfort Road, on the right when traveling south on Kimmel Road. Marker is located on the eastern end of Governors Island. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oysters in the Harbor: A History (within shouting distance of this marker); Middens and Reefs (within shouting distance of this marker); The South Battery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The South Battery
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
2. Marker on Governors Island
More about this marker. The background of the marker features an aerial picture of New York Harbor. Below this are a map and a photo of Governors Island.
Also see . . . Governors Island National Monument. National Park Service website. (Submitted on September 12, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Additional commentary.
1. Building in this picture.
The foreground seen here is what used to be my elementary school playground. There was a dirt surface, see-saws and monkey bars near the swings, and I remember well that view of the water. I lived and went to school on Governors Island 1950 to 1956. The schoolrooms had windows facing the Buttermilk Channel, and I always wanted to sit by the window and watch the ships go past. We were taught about the
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
3. The Brooklyn Waterfront
This photo of the Brooklyn Waterfront and Buttermilk Channel was taken from the marker.
— Submitted October 18, 2025, by Mary Ferreira of Port Orchard, Washington.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, August 8, 2009
4. The Staten Island Ferry and the Buttermilk Channel
An exceedingly rare occurrence - a scheduled Staten Island Ferry traversing Buttermilk Channel instead of the usual route through New York Harbor.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 860 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 12, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on April 5, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
