Fort Clinton was built in 1778 by troops of the Continental Army and was originally named Fort Arnold after Benedict Arnold, a hero of early Revolutionary War campaigns, until Arnold deserted to the British in 1780. Carefully placed at a bend in the Hudson River where sailing ships moving upstream would have to slow almost to a stop to make the turns, it became the center of the West Point fortifications. It was built to protect the batteries along the water's edge, deny the British use of Constitution Island, and cover with fire the Great Chain stretched across the river. Constructed of earth and logs, it held a powder magazine, barricades, and bombproofs for a garrison of about 700 men, and was armed with 12 cannon and 11 mortars of various calibers. Because higher ground to the south and west overlooked it, several forts and redoubts were built there to defend it against overland attack, including Fort Putnam, the major protective work in the system. After the Revolution, Fort Clinton continued in use as an active fort and arsenal for storing arms and equipment, but after the Military Academy was founded in 1802, it ceased to be used as a fortification.

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin