Flagstaff Fort

A Patriot redoubt built in June 1776, located on Signal Hill at The Narrows on Staten Island. Site of an earlier 1663 blockhouse that stood until at least 1808,^[1] preceded by one built by Dutch settler David Pieterszen de Vries in 1636 and destroyed in the Peach War of 1655.^[2] Taken by the British in July 1776 and by July 1779 a redoubt with gun platforms for 26 cannon was built. Two months later, six 24-pounders and four 18-pounders were recorded on hand. In 1782 the fort had five bastions and several barbette batteries. Evacuated by the British in 1783 at the end of the Revolution.^[1] In 1806 Flagstaff Fort was demolished and Fort Tompkins was built on the site, reportedly enclosing the 1663 blockhouse with red sandstone.^[3] That fort along with others grew into Fort Wadsworth.^[3] The site is now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area of the National Park Service.