Governors Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Castle Williams
Changing with the Times
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
1. Castle Williams Marker
A Place Worth Protecting
During the Revolutionary War, a British maritime force captured New York. In the early days of independence that followed the war, the federal government constructed a series of forts in the harbor. Their job was to safeguard the port against future attacks. Castle Williams, built from 1807 to 1811, was one of them.
New York was never attacked. But the stone fort would serve the nation in changing ways.
[ Side 2 ]
A Show of Force
Over time, as the forts played less of a role in protecting the harbor and the city, an army post evolved around them. By the 1870s, Governors Island became a major U.S. Army headquarters and by 1930, it was home to over 3,000 soldiers, officers, and their families.
“Even Governors Island, once a smiling garden . . . was now covered with fortifications – so that this once-peaceful island resembled a fierce
this page online
- Author Washington Irving, Knickerbocker’s History of New York, 1809
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.
Location. 40° 41.582′ N, 74° 1.141′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Governors Island. Marker is at the intersection of Carder Road and Hay Road, on the left when traveling west on Carder Road. Marker is located at the northwest corner of Governors Island. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Across the Harbor: Remembering September 11th (here, next to this marker); Group Effort (here, next to this marker); In Memory Of Alexander Kidd (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Castle Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); Early North American Colonist Remains (within shouting distance of this marker); Governors Island (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Castle Williams (within
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
2. Castle Williams Marker (Side 2)
More about this marker. The background of side 1 of the marker contains a map of Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor showing the locations of all the harbor fortifications. It includes a caption of “During the War of 1812, these were the major fortifications of the Upper Bay and their original names.” Below this is a map of the North Atlantic Ocean indicating the major trade routes between America, England and Africa. This has a caption of “The Rise of New York City – New York City had an ideal harbor: large, sheltered, deep, and protected from wind and ice. By the late 1700s, it was a thriving port for Atlantic and the West Indies trade. Fortified against foreign attack, the port expanded, New York City prospered. It became the nation’s financial capital – and a place well worth protecting.” Four pictures appear at the bottom of the marker. The first has a caption of “Early colonists were drawn by the harbor’s geographic advantages and rich natural resources. The city began to expand.” The caption of the second picture
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
3. Castle Williams Marker (Side 1)
Side 2 of the marker features four photographs. The top of the marker shows a large photo of Castle Williams with a caption of “Castle Williams between 1861 and 1865, photographed by Civil War-era photographer Mathew Brady. National Archives.” Three pictures appear along the bottom of the marker. The first is an interior photo of Castle Williams and has a caption of “Armed with dozens of cannon, Castle Williams was an intimidating sight.” Next to this is an aerial view of Fort Jay with a caption of “Until 1942, when they were removed for scrap for the war effort in World War II, Fort Jay had more than 50 Civil War-era 10- and 15-inch Rodman cannons protecting it and the harbor. In the 1930s, its barracks became housing for Army
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
4. Castle Williams Marker (Side 2)
Also see . . .
1. History of Governors Island. The Trust for Governors Island website. (Submitted on September 10, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Governors Island National Monument. National Park Service website. (Submitted on September 10, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
5. Marker on Governors Island
Photographed By Larry Gertner, August 8, 2009
6. Castle Williams, landward side
Despite appearances, the structure is not completely circular.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 24, 2007
7. Castle Williams
A large-bore Dahlgren gun on the upper tier overlooks the harbor.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
8. Entrance to Castle Williams
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
9. Fort Jay
This is one of the two other fortifications on Governors Island mentioned on the marker that helped protect the Harbor against naval attack.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 10, 2011
10. South Battery
This is the third fortification on Governors Island that is mentioned on the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 649 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 10, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6, 7. submitted on April 7, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 8, 9, 10. submitted on September 10, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
