Constitution Island in Orange County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Constitution Area
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 25, 2012
1. Fort Constitution Area Marker
Fort Constitution, which would have enclosed this area, was intended to be the major fortification for the defense of the Hudson River. In January 1776, after three months of construction, work on the fort was halted, for the fort was considered to be poorly designed, badly located, and unduly expensive. Only the blockhouse, the greatly modified western battery, and the neighboring barracks and storehouse were ever completed. Unlike nearby Marine Battery, none of these structures was rebuilt after being destroyed during the British operations on the Hudson in October 1777.
Sited on the knoll ahead was the octangular or circular log blockhouse, thirty feet in diameter, and “mounted with eight cannon, (four pounders,) pointed out the garret windows, and looks very picturesque” Behind and to the north was a one and a half story barracks, 100 feet long and 20 feet wide.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1776.
Location. 41° 24.092′ N, 73° 57.189′ W. Marker is on Constitution Island, New York, in
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Romans’ Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Marine Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Chain (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Revolutionary War Constitution Island (about 500 feet away); Fortress West Point (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Great Chain (about 500 feet away); Anna B. Warner Memorial Garden (about 600 feet away); The Warner House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Constitution Island.
More about this marker. A plan of Fort Constitution from 1775 appears at the left of the marker.
Also see . . . The Revolutionary War on Constitution Island. The Constitution Island Association website. (Submitted on August 25, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 25, 2012
2. Fort Constitution Area Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 25, 2012
3. Fort Constitution Area Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 25, 2012
4. Fort Constitution Area Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 25, 2012
5. Fort Constitution Cannon
This is the site of the log blockhouse found at Fort Constitution.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 25, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
