Ellis Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Gibson: Ammunition to Immigration
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
1. Fort Gibson: Ammunition to Immigration Marker
In the decades following the War of 1812, Fort Gibson continued to be used as a military installation. Large magazines were built to store explosive black powder, which was too unstable to be kept at the Navy Yard in Brooklyn. During the Civil War, the fort’s importance in guarding the approaches to New York Harbor again became critical. Twelve new cannons were installed and 120 army and navy personnel were garrisoned here.
After the war, stories about the 10,000 pounds of explosive powder stored on Ellis Island appeared in the popular Harper’s Weekly magazine and the New York daily newspapers. These accounts alarmed the local populace, who were afraid that an explosion would destroy parts of Brooklyn, New York City, Staten Island and Jersey City. Protests against this hazard occurred sporadically during the next twenty years. Finally, the need of a new immigration station became an occasion for removing the “imminent peril” from Ellis Island. In 1891, the first immigration building rose on the site of the old battery.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 40° 41.942′ N, 74°
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Gibson: Oyster Banks to Batteries (here, next to this marker); Fort Gibson: The Other Ellis Island Story (a few steps from this marker); Fort Gibson: Uncovering the Past (a few steps from this marker); The American Immigrant Wall of Honor ® (a few steps from this marker); Fort Gibson: Defending the Approaches (a few steps from this marker); Fort Gibson: The New York Harbor System (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The American Immigrant Wall of Honor ® (within shouting distance of this marker); Delaware Indian Burials (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. Three photographs of buildings on Ellis Island appear at the bottom of the marker. These contain the captions: “Illustration from Harper’s Weekly, March 14, 1868, showing storage buildings for ammunition and black powder. Courtesy the New-York Historical Society.”; “Immigration building, Ellis Island, constructed in 1891. Collection of Statue of Liberty
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
2. Fort Gibson: Ammunition to Immigration Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
3. Markers on Ellis Island
Two markers are found at this location. The Fort Gibson: Ammunition to Immigration marker is seen on the right.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
4. Fort Gibson Marker
The walls that were part Fort Gibson can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
5. Immigration Building
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
6. Immigration Building on Ellis Island
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 715 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 9, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
