Fort Jay

Since the American Revolution, three different fortifications have stood at this location. The first was hastily constructed in April 1776 when General George Washington ordered earthen mounds and cannons placed here to help protect New York City from invasion by the British Navy. The British eventually captured the city and the island in September 1776 and occupied both until 1783, using Governors Island as a military hospital. The earthworks were rebuilt in the 1790s with volunteer labor from the citizens of New York City when there was a threat of war with France. The gatehouse and the eagle statue on top may date to that time. From 1805 to 1809, while U.S. Army Chief Engineer Johnathan Williams was rebuilding Castle Williams, he revamped Fort Jay by replacing the earthworks with granite and brick. The barracks were the last significant addition to the fort when they were constructed during the 1830s. They housed soldiers and bachelor officers for almost a century until they were remodeled into townhouse-style apartments for junior officers and their families in the 1930s. They were used as family housing until 1996, when the U.S. Coast Guard left Governors Island.

New York, New York · United States