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West Point in Orange County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Constitution Island

 
 
Constitution Island Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 8, 2012
1. Constitution Island Marker
Inscription.
The first location of fortifications in Fortress West Point was on the island across the river. Patriot Bernard Romans, Dutch engineer, began building a Grand Bastion on Martelaer’s Rock (renamed Constitution Island) in 1775. Poorly sited, it was never completed; although four batteries and three redoubts were eventually built. The island was important for defense of the river and the Great Chain.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.
 
Location. 41° 23.42′ N, 73° 57.823′ W. Marker is in West Point, New York, in Orange County. It can be reached from Delafield Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located inside Fort Putnam on the grounds of the United States Military Academy. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Point NY 10996, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Hudson Valley. 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: Constitution Island Redoubts (here, next to this marker); Revolutionary War Fortifications (here, next to this marker); Original Embrasure (a few steps from this marker); Fort Putnam (within shouting distance of this marker); Archeology, 1974 (within shouting distance of this marker); Bronze Field Guns
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(within shouting distance of this marker); McLean Historical Museum Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Artillery and Mortars (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Point.
 
Constitution Island Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 8, 2012
2. Constitution Island Marker
Constitution Island is visible in the background across the Hudson River.
Marker in Fort Putnam image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 8, 2012
3. Marker in Fort Putnam
Constitution Island from the Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 8, 2012
4. Constitution Island from the Marker
Fort Putnam image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 8, 2012
5. Fort Putnam
The Constitution Island marker is located in Fort Putnam in West Point.
Fortress West Point image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 8, 2012
6. Fortress West Point
Placed near the marker:
Elevations in Feet

Marker features a map of West Point and Constitution Island, showing the Great Chain across the Hudson River and the locations of Fort Arnold, Sherburne Redoubt, Fort Willys, Fort Meigs, Fort Webb, Fort Putam, Crow’s Nest and Moore’s House on the west side the Hudson River, and the North Redoubt, Middle (South) Redoubt, Nelson’s Point and Robinson’s House on the east side.
Fortress West Point Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 8, 2012
7. Fortress West Point Marker
Fort Putnam was designed to protect Fort Arnold (later renamed Fort Clinton) and other batteries that were located near the Hudson River (seen in the background). The location of Fort Clinton is marked by the Kosciusko Monument visible directly above the left corner of the marker.
Marker in Fort Putman image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, June 8, 2012
8. Marker in Fort Putman
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 896 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 8, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.   6, 7, 8. submitted on June 9, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
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Jul. 3, 2026