Liberty Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Wood
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
1. Original Fort Wood Marker
The Statue of Liberty's pedestal sits on top of the remains of Fort Wood, originally one link in a chain of defenses protecting New York City and its vital harbor. The fort was built between 1808 and 1811 in the shape of an eleven-pointed star. The eleven-pointed star design was brought to North America by French military engineers in the 17th century.
Fort Wood acted as a lookout and defensive fortification with guns placed on top of its walls as well as a battery of guns entrenched near the shoreline. The fort was occupied by the War Department as an army post until 1937.
original marker text:
The Statue of Libertys pedestal sits atop the remains of Fort Wood, originally one link in a chain of defenses protecting New York City and its vital harbor. The fort was built between 1808 and 1811 in the shape of an eleven-pointed star and was occupied by the War Department as an army post until 1937. The eleven-pointed star design was brought to North America by French military engineers in the 17th century. The fort acted as a lookout position with harbor guns entrenched near the shore. Many incised markings, believed to be Masonic symbols, have been found on its granite exterior walls and the surrounding lawn.
Erected by National Park Service.
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Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 41.379′ N, 74° 2.623′ W. Marker was in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It was on Liberty Island. It could be reached from Communipaw Avenue. Marker is located in front of the statue on Liberty Island. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in New York City. It was also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: Liberty Island (a few steps from this marker); The New Colossus (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Pulitzer (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emma Lazarus (about 300 feet away); Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (about 300 feet away); Edouard Rene De Laboulaye (about 300 feet away); Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (about 300 feet away); Cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty Pedestal (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. The background of the original marker features an aerial view of the Statue of Liberty on the remains of Fort Wood. It has a caption of The remains of the military base of Fort Wood prior
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
2. Fort Wood Marker
Two photographs appear on the right side of the marker. One depicts Fort Wood cannons, with view of Ellis Island, ca. 1895. Photo courtesy of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. The picture below this is of a Union Army garrison at Fort Wood, 1864.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
3. Marker on Liberty Island
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
4. Granite Walls of Fort Wood
Two points of Fort Wood's eleven-pointed star shaped walls are seen in this photo.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
5. Granite Walls of Fort Wood
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
6. Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is seen here atop of the remains of Fort Wood.
Photographed by Craig Baker, June 1, 2022
7. Fort Wood Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, June 1, 2022
8. Fort Wood Marker
During restoration of the walls of Fort Wood.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,627 times since then and 182 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7, 8. submitted on June 1, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Profile with transcription of the replacement marker which has a different inscription from this marker. • Can you help?
