Central Park North End in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Clinton: On Top of Manhattan

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 10, 2016

1. Fort Clinton: On Top of Manhattan Marker

Inscription. With its high ground and expansive views to the north and east, it is clear why this spot was regarded as an important strategic position in two wars. In 1776, the British built a fortification here, following its invasion of Manhattan, as part of a defensive line extending west to the Hudson River. During the War of 1812, the American military rebuilt a fort in this location and named it Fort Clinton, in honor of Mayor DeWitt Clinton, then mayor of New York. In the 1860s, the designers of Central Park recognized the scenic and historic value of this location, and retained the remains of the fortification. They developed the site as a scenic overlook incorporating rustic fencing, benches, and a flagpole. The Central Park Conservancy rebuilt the overlook in 2014, recreating some of these historic details and restoring the surrounding landscape.

The recent project by the Conservancy also involved reinstalling two cannons that had been in storage since the 1970s. The cannons have a rather curious history: they were never actually fired from this location. Recent research has confirmed that they originated on the Hussar, a

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British Royal Navy ship that ran aground on Hell Gate in the East River in 1780 while delivering supplies for the Revolutionary War. The cannons were donated to the park in 1865 and put in display in a museum in the former convent of Mount Saint Vincent, just south of this location. After the building was destroyed by fire in 1881, the cannons were unaccounted for until 1905, when Edward Hagaman Hall, a historian and preservationist, discovered them lying on the ground near Fort Clinton. Given the military history of the area, he assumed they were period artifacts and advocated to have them installed in this location. In 1906 the Parks Department installed the cannons at Fort Clinton on a granite base. In 2014 the Conservancy conserved the cannons and the base and returned them to this location.

Erected by Central Park Conservancy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 40° 47.718′ N, 73° 57.128′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Central Park North

At Fort Clinton: The two cannon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 10, 2016

2. At Fort Clinton: The two cannon

Also visible are the rustic fencing and benches referred to in the text.

End. It can be reached from Fifth Avenue. Marker is in Central Park off East Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10029, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: McGown's Pass (a few steps from this marker); Mount Saint Vincent (within shouting distance of this marker); A View From the Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Before There Was a Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Maria Callas Birthplace (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Andrew Haswell Green Memorial (about 600 feet away); Odetta (about 600 feet away); Shoreline Walk (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

At Fort Clinton: a carronade from HMS Hussar image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 10, 2016

3. At Fort Clinton: a carronade from HMS Hussar

The short-barreled carronades were "ship smashers", firing a very heavy round over a short distance.

in Manhattan.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. McGown's Pass

At Fort Clinton: a long gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 10, 2016

4. At Fort Clinton: a long gun

The long gun fired a smaller round over a longer distance.

At Fort Clinton: an earlier marker from the 1906 installation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 10, 2016

5. At Fort Clinton: an earlier marker from the 1906 installation

The Fort Clinton site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 10, 2016

6. The Fort Clinton site

It's always best to have the high ground.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2016, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 811 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 29, 2016, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.