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Fort Wadsworth is a former United States military installation on Staten Island in New York City, situated on The Narrows which divide New York Bay into Upper and Lower bays, a natural point for defense of the Upper Bay, Manhattan, and beyond. Prior to its closing in 1994, the fort was claimed to be the longest continuously garrisoned military installation in the United States. It comprises several fortifications, including Fort Tompkins and Battery Weed and was given its present name in 1865 to honor Brigadier General James Wadsworth, who had been killed in the Battle of the Wilderness during the Civil War. Fort Wadsworth is now part of the Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, maintained by the National Park Service.

Key Information

History

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A view of Fort Wadsworth from across the Narrows by Seth Eastman, commissioned by the U.S. Army in 1870. Fort Richmond/Battery Weed is near the water, and Fort Tompkins is on the hill.
Battery Weed at Fort Wadsworth (foreground) on the Narrows, under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Unidentified battery at Fort Wadsworth circa 1917
Disappearing gun at Fort Wadsworth in 1917
Battery Richmond in 1988

Early history

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The first use of the land for military purposes was as the site of a blockhouse built by Dutch settler David Pieterszen de Vries on Signal Hill (now the site of Fort Tompkins), in 1655.[1][2] The site is said to have been continuously garrisoned since another blockhouse was built in 1663, which survived at least through 1808.[1] During the American Revolution the area became known as Flagstaff Fort; captured by the British in 1776, it remained in British hands and was expanded until the war's end in 1783. It became the responsibility of New York State in 1806, at which time four forts were built on the site with state resources, being ready for service in 1808 though incomplete. These included the red sandstone Forts Richmond (on the site now called Battery Weed) and Tompkins, on the sites of the current forts but of different design, and Forts Morton and Hudson, with positions for a total of 164 guns in the four forts.[1][3] Fort Tompkins at that time included a red sandstone enclosure containing the 1663 blockhouse.[1] Fort Richmond was initially semicircular while Fort Tompkins was a regular pentagon with circular bastions, both very different from their Third System replacements.[4] Although these forts were contemporary with the federal government's second system of seacoast fortifications, they were not part of the federal program. Federal rebuilding of Forts Richmond and Tompkins did not begin until 1847.[1]

Fort Richmond was named for Richmond County, in which Staten Island is located. Fort Tompkins was named for Daniel D. Tompkins, New York's governor in the War of 1812. Fort Morton was possibly named for Major General Jacob Morton, commander of the New York state militia in the War of 1812. Fort Hudson was named for Henry Hudson, a British-born explorer for the Dutch East India Company who explored the river named for him.

War of 1812

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During the War of 1812, New York State expanded Fort Richmond and its surrounding forts.[1] In 1814, money was appropriated to complete Forts Richmond and Fort Tompkins, and by 1815, 900 cannons were reportedly amassed in the area.[1] New York City was not attacked in that war (probably due to the vast number of forts and cannon in the city and harbor), so the forts never fired in anger.

Third System

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By 1835 Forts Richmond (now Battery Weed) and Tompkins had deteriorated to the point that they were declared unfit for use, and the next year the federal government began a decade-long process of purchasing them.[1][3] In 1847 total reconstructions of both forts began, under the federal third system of seacoast fortifications, an across-the-board program of new forts sparked by the burning of Washington, DC in the War of 1812. Some sources state that the new Forts Richmond and Tompkins were initially designed by Robert E. Lee during his tenure as post engineer at Fort Hamilton in the 1840s.[5] Fort Richmond had one landward front and three seacoast fronts, with an unusual four tiers of cannon totaling 116 guns to seaward, plus 24 flank howitzers on the landward front.[6]

The four-tier arrangement was only duplicated in the United States by Castle Williams on Governors Island and Fort Point in San Francisco, California. Fort Tompkins provided the bulk of the landward defense in the area, with one seaward and four landward fronts. It was unusual in having no embrasures for cannon in the main fort. A seacoast cannon battery was mounted on the roof of the seacoast front, and the rest of the fort had only musket loopholes. It had a ditch on the landward sides with tunnels to counterscarp galleries providing additional musket fire against enemies in the ditch, supplemented by a few well-placed flank howitzers.[7] Both forts were ready for service, though still incomplete, when the Civil War broke out in April 1861.[3]

Civil War era

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Main article: New York in the American Civil War

New York City was not attacked by sea in the Civil War, so the forts did not have an active role. However, they were important as mobilization centers, including Smith's Cantonment near the forts.[2] The North and South Cliff batteries were built flanking Fort Richmond, which was renamed Fort Wadsworth in 1865. Two small batteries of two and five guns were also built near Fort Tompkins.[2] Following the war, it was determined that masonry forts were obsolete. In the 1870s a large-scale but short-lived program of building new earth-protected batteries near existing forts commenced. The new defenses were mainly armed with Rodman guns, large smoothbores of 15-inch and 10-inch caliber along with 8-inch converted rifles. At Fort Wadsworth, this included improvements to the batteries built during the Civil War, along with rebuilding Battery Hudson for new guns and a new mortar battery near Fort Tompkins that was never armed.[2][8] Battery Hudson included an emplacement for the United States' first type of disappearing gun, a 15-inch Rodman on King's depression carriage, which was not widely adopted. A mine casemate for controlling an underwater minefield was built in Fort Richmond in 1875 and was later re-used when mines became a standard part of the harbor defenses.[2] In the late 1870s funding for coast defenses was cut off, and it was 20 years before significant new defenses were completed.

Endicott period (1885–1916)

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The 1885 Board of Fortifications, chaired by Secretary of War William C. Endicott and also called the Endicott Board, recommended sweeping improvements to US coast defenses, with a new generation of modern breech-loading rifled guns and numerous new gun batteries. Most of the Board's recommendations were adopted as the Endicott program, and that included major changes and improvements for Fort Wadsworth. The fort became part of the Artillery District of New York, renamed in 1913 as the Coast Defenses of Southern New York. Part of the Endicott Program included renaming the entire fort area as Fort Wadsworth, with the former Fort Richmond becoming Battery Weed, in General Order No. 16 of February 4, 1902. Battery Weed was named for Brigadier General Stephen H. Weed, killed at Gettysburg in 1863.[1]

From 1896 to 1905 the following batteries were completed at Fort Wadsworth:[3][9]

Name No. of guns Gun type Carriage type Years active
Ayres 2 12-inch gun M1895 disappearing M1895 1901-1942
Dix 2 12-inch gun M1900 disappearing M1901 1904-1944
Hudson 2 12-inch gun M1888 disappearing M1896 1899-1944
Richmond 2 12-inch gun M1888 disappearing M1896 1899-1942
Barry 2 10-inch gun M1888 disappearing M1896 1897-1918
Upton 2 10-inch gun M1888 disappearing M1896 1897-1942
Duane 5 8-inch gun M1888 disappearing M1894 1896-1915
Unnamed 2 8-inch gun M1888 Rodman carriage 1898-1898
Mills 2 6-inch gun M1897 disappearing M1898 1900-1943
Barbour 2 6-inch Armstrong gun pedestal 1898-1920
Barbour 2 4.72-inch/40 caliber Armstrong gun pedestal 1898-1920
Turnbull 6 3-inch gun M1902 pedestal M1902 1903-1944
Bacon 2 3-inch gun M1898 masking parapet M1898 1899-1918
Catlin 6 3-inch gun M1903 pedestal M1903 1903-1942

Facilities for planting and controlling an underwater minefield were also built. The unnamed battery of two 8-inch guns and the two sections of Battery Barbour were commenced shortly after the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in early 1898. At that time most of the Endicott batteries were still years from completion, and it was feared the Spanish fleet would bombard East Coast ports. The 8-inch guns were an expedient conversion of carriages for Rodman guns to allow the modern 8-inch M1888 gun to be brought into service. The 6-inch and 4.72-inch Armstrong guns were purchased from the United Kingdom, to rapidly deploy medium caliber quick-firing guns at the forts.[10] The guns of the temporary 8-inch batteries were removed soon after the war ended (also in 1898), to be deployed in the new Endicott batteries, while the Armstrong guns remained in service until the 1920s. In 1901 the heavy artillery companies at all forts were redesignated as coast artillery companies, and in 1907 these units became a separate corps, the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps. An unusual problem occurred with Battery Duane: it was made of inferior concrete which eventually deteriorated, and the battery was removed from service in 1915.[3] In 1913 Batteries Turnbull and Catlin swapped their guns.[3]

In 1910, the fort fired a 21-gun salute to former President Theodore Roosevelt as his ship passed through the Narrows on his return from a nearly year-long trip to Africa and Europe.[11] In 1913, ground was broken by President William Howard Taft for a proposed National American Indian Memorial that was to be built on the site of Fort Tompkins. The monument was to include a 165-foot-tall (50 m) statue of an American Indian on the bluff overlooking the Narrows, but difficulties in fundraising and the advent of World War I precluded fruition of the plan.[12]

An interior view of Fort Wadsworth showing the location of the fortifications in the compound. The dashed red "trail" marks the location of today's Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connecting Staten Island with Brooklyn to the east. The map was taken in site, maintained by the National Park Service

World War I

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12" gun ready for action

Following the American entry into World War I, Fort Wadsworth's role as the largest fort guarding New York City was an important one. Some batteries were directed to be ready to fire 24/7.[3] Most coastal forts in CONUS had their garrison reduced to provide crews for heavy and railway artillery units destined for the Western Front. This did not seem to occur at Fort Wadsworth. Also, a number of 10-inch and 12-inch guns were withdrawn from forts in 1917-1918 for potential use as railway artillery;[13] at Fort Wadsworth most of these weapons were relatively promptly replaced by guns from less-threatened forts. Both guns of Battery Ayres, one gun of Battery Hudson, and one gun of Battery Upton were replaced in 1918 due to this program. However, Battery Barry's pair of 10-inch guns was removed and not replaced.[3]

Between the wars

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Following World War I, a number of coast artillery weapon types were withdrawn from service. These included the 4.7-inch and 6-inch Armstrong guns of Battery Barbour, and the 3-inch M1898 guns of Battery Bacon, all in 1920.[3] These were not replaced. By 1924, Fort Wadsworth had become an infantry post, with the coast artillery batteries in caretaker status, with only a few soldiers garrisoned for maintenance.[1] The construction of long-range 12-inch gun batteries at Fort Hancock, New Jersey and a 16-inch gun battery at Fort Tilden had relegated Fort Wadsworth to the second line of defense for Greater New York.[9]

World War II

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Although Fort Wadsworth was an important mobilization center, it received little new armament in World War II. New defenses for Greater New York in that war centered on Fort Tilden, the long-range 12-inch batteries at Fort Hancock, and a new 16-inch gun battery at the Highlands Military Reservation in Navesink, New Jersey.[9] Fort Wadsworth's heavy guns were gradually scrapped during the war. Battery 218, a magazine bunker for a pair of 6-inch guns, was built but not armed.[3] A 16-inch gun battery (Battery 115) was proposed for Fort Wadsworth but not built.[3] Four 3-inch guns of Battery Turnbull were relocated to Battery New Turnbull, still at Fort Wadsworth.[9] Battery Catlin's six 3-inch guns were sent to new batteries on the other side of the Narrows, four to Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat Battery (AMTB) 18 (also called Battery New Catlin) at Norton Point and two to AMTB 20 at Rockaway Point.[9]

Post World War II through 1990s

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Following World War II all US coast artillery guns were scrapped. From 1948 to 1952 Fort Wadsworth was the Headquarters of the 102nd Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade (New York National Guard) for the air defense of New York City. From 1952 until 1960 it was the Headquarters of the 52nd Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade, until the Brigade moved to the Highlands Air Force Station. Although Fort Wadsworth was a Nike missile headquarters between 1952 and 1964, no missiles were stationed at the fort.[2] However, a 120 mm M1 gun battery was at the fort from 1952 until 1955.[2] It then was the site of the United States Army Chaplain school, while also hosting the Fort Wadsworth Museum within Fort Tompkins, which displayed free exhibits depicting the history of the fort and the U.S. Army.[14]

The base was turned over to the United States Navy in 1979, which used it as the headquarters of Naval Station New York.[15]: 4  As a result of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission process, the Navy left and the property was transferred to the National Park Service as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area in 1995.[15]: 3  With the 1996 closure of the United States Coast Guard Atlantic Area headquarters and base at Governors Island, their New York-based operations moved to Fort Wadsworth, as tenants in some of the buildings and housing previously occupied by the Navy.

Current government usage

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As of 2007, some Fort Wadsworth buildings are occupied by the United States Coast Guard's Sector New York[16] and Maritime Safety and Security Team 91106. The 353d Civil Affairs Command, a United States Army Reserve unit, occupies several buildings on the fort. Other buildings house administrative and educational facilities for the National Park Service as well as operations of the United States Park Police.

Present

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Extract of NPS Map of Fort Wadsworth, circa 2011
Memorial to Father Vincent R. Capodanno, Navy chaplain and Medal of Honor recipient

Historic structures include Battery Weed, directly on the harbor, and Fort Tompkins on the bluff above. Both were built in the mid-19th Century and are open to the public on guided tours only. There are several smaller early 20th Century coastal artillery batteries and an overlook with panoramic views of the Upper Bay, Brooklyn and Manhattan. A memorial to Father Vincent R. Capodanno, a Navy chaplain from Staten Island who was killed serving with the 1st Battalion 5th Marines in Vietnam and received a posthumous Medal of Honor, is at the fort near the Father Capodanno Chapel. The National Park Service currently maintains a visitors' center on site and offers ranger-led tours of the facilities. Portions of the fort, including Battery Weed and the Fort Tompkins Quadrangle, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The entire Fort Wadsworth complex was listed in the National Register in 2022.

Annual events

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The New York City Marathon, an annual marathon (42.195 km or 26.219 mi) that courses through the five boroughs of New York City, starts on Fort Wadsworth. The Five Boro Bike Tour is an annual recreational cycling event in New York City that starts at Battery Park in Lower Manhattan and ends with a festival in Fort Wadsworth.

Neighborhood

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The name "Fort Wadsworth" is also sometimes used to denote the residential neighborhood surrounding the former fort, the neighborhood south of Rosebank, west of Shore Acres and north of South Beach. This neighborhood once had a station on the South Beach Branch of the Staten Island Railway; service on this branch ceased in 1953.

[edit]

In the G.I. Joe comic book, G.I. Joe's elite United States military counterterroism unit operated from "The Pit," a secret underground base concealed beneath the Motor Pool of the Army Chaplains' Assistants School at Fort Wadsworth. After The Pit was destroyed by a Cobra surprise attack, G.I. Joe relocated the headquarters to an undisclosed location. Although written in 1982, the book still depicted the fort as the home of the "Chaplain's Assistants School", due to Larry Hama's memories of the fort from his years in the service. Also, Ft. Wadsworth did not actually have a proper motor pool; its equipment was serviced at Fort Hamilton.

The 2016 thriller film Nerve was partially filmed here. Fort Wadsworth served as the setting for the final scene of the movie.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Fort Wadsworth

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Fort Wadsworth is a historic coastal defense facility and former installation located on the northeastern shore of in , occupying 226 acres at in . Originally established as Fort Richmond in the early as part of the Third System of U.S. fortifications, it was renamed Fort Wadsworth in 1865 to honor Brigadier General , who died during the . The site features prominent granite and brick structures, including (the rebuilt Fort Richmond) and Fort Tompkins, designed to protect from naval threats. The fort's military history spans over two centuries, beginning with British fortifications during the Revolutionary War occupation of New York in 1779, followed by early American defenses in the 1800s under state and then federal control starting in 1841. During the Civil War era, construction intensified with the addition of South and North Cliff Batteries to bolster harbor security, though masonry forts like those at Wadsworth soon became obsolete due to advances in rifled artillery. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, under the Endicott Program, the installation was modernized with batteries such as Battery Duane and Battery Caitlin to counter emerging naval threats during the Spanish-American War. Throughout the World Wars, Fort Wadsworth played a vital role in coastal artillery operations: in World War I, troops manned anti-aircraft guns and supported nearby installations, while in World War II, it focused on air defense as part of the Harbor Defense Command. Postwar, it served as headquarters for anti-aircraft and Nike missile units during the Cold War until the 1960s, later hosting the U.S. Army Chaplain School (1974–1979) and U.S. Navy operations (1979–1994). Deactivated in 1994, the site was transferred to the National Park Service and integrated into Gateway National Recreation Area, preserving its role as a key element in the evolution of American coastal defenses. Today, Fort Wadsworth is open to the public as a recreational and educational site, offering trails, overlooks with panoramic views of the and , and a with exhibits on its military legacy, including the Battery Weed Lighthouse. The preserved fortifications, such as the multi-level Fort Tompkins with its casemates and , highlight engineering feats from the , while ongoing programs emphasize its cultural and historical significance in safeguarding one of the nation's busiest ports.

History

Early history

The site of Fort Wadsworth, located on Signal Hill overlooking the Narrows entrance to New York Harbor, has served as a defensive outpost since the Dutch colonial era. In 1636, Dutch patroon David Pietersz de Vries constructed the first known blockhouse there, a small wooden structure defended by two men and used as a signal station to monitor approaching ships. This marked the initial European military presence on the site, intended to protect Dutch trade routes and settlements in New Netherland. The blockhouse was destroyed in 1655 during the Peach Tree War, a Native American uprising against Dutch expansion that razed several outlying settlements on Staten Island. By 1663, the Dutch rebuilt a on the same heights as a precautionary measure amid ongoing regional tensions, maintaining a small to guard the harbor approaches. The following year, in 1664, British forces under Colonel captured the blockhouse and the entire colony of without significant resistance, renaming the territory New York in honor of the . From this point onward, the site remained continuously garrisoned by British troops as part of the colony's coastal defenses, with the blockhouse serving as a key watchpost for signaling threats to . During the , British forces reoccupied in 1776 following the , using the Signal Hill position as a strategic base and signal station until the war's end in 1783; they augmented it with earthen redoubts and artillery platforms to secure against Continental forces. After independence, the strategic importance of the site for protecting New York Harbor prompted state action. In 1806, New York State acquired the land and initiated construction of temporary earthwork fortifications between 1806 and 1808, including Fort Richmond (overlooking the water), Fort Tompkins (on the hilltop), and supporting batteries such as Morton and Hudson on the slopes. These rudimentary works, armed with a modest number of cannons, were designed to deter naval incursions during a period of international tension, representing the first organized American defenses at the Narrows under state control.

War of 1812

During the War of 1812, the fortifications at the site of present-day Fort Wadsworth, then known as Signal Hill and encompassing Fort Richmond, Fort Morton, and Fort Hudson, underwent significant expansion under New York State control to bolster defenses against potential British incursions into New York Harbor. Governor Daniel Tompkins, serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Third Military District, directed the construction of temporary earthworks and redoubts on the hill, transforming the earlier colonial-era blockhouse into a more robust defensive network aimed at protecting the Narrows passage. By 1814, these efforts had amassed approximately 900 artillery pieces across the harbor defenses, including emplacements at Signal Hill for heavy guns such as thirty-two-pounders and twenty-four-pounders, though initial readiness was limited with only about 164 guns in place at the outset of hostilities. Despite heightened tensions, including British naval sightings off in 1813 and a formidable fleet anchoring there in 1814—raising fears of a at nearby Prince's —no direct attacks materialized on the Signal Hill fortifications. The site's earthworks and batteries, supported by a that grew from 500 militiamen in 1812 to include regular U.S. and volunteer companies totaling around 25,500 troops across the harbor, played a crucial role in the broader strategy to deter enemy advances, complementing defenses like those at and Fort Diamond. Signal communications using balls and kegs from the hilltops further coordinated responses, ensuring remained secure without engaging in combat. Following the Treaty of Ghent in 1815, which ended the war, the state-maintained earthworks at Signal Hill began to deteriorate due to neglect, prompting anticipation of federal involvement to modernize and permanently secure the harbor. Although full federal oversight did not occur until 1847, when New York State transferred control of the entire site to the U.S. War Department, the wartime preparations underscored the strategic importance of the location, setting the stage for subsequent national fortification programs.

Third System

The Third System of U.S. coastal fortifications, initiated by Congress in 1817 following the War of 1812, aimed to build permanent masonry forts to protect key harbors, including New York, superseding the temporary earthworks erected during the earlier conflict. At the Staten Island site of Fort Wadsworth, federal involvement began in earnest after New York State ceded land in 1847, though planning traced back to surveys in the 1840s. Captain , serving as an engineer at nearby , contributed significantly to the site's development by conducting surveys and assessments in 1841 and 1845, including mapping the grounds of the old Fort Richmond and supervising initial repairs to batteries like Hudson and Morton. His work informed the designs for the new permanent structures, transmitted to G. Totten, emphasizing strategic placement for harbor defense under Third System principles of multi-tiered masonry forts. These efforts laid the groundwork for construction that aligned with the system's focus on enduring granite fortifications against naval threats. Construction of the water battery, originally named Fort Richmond (later ), commenced in February 1847 on the shoreline at , designed by Totten as a half-hexagon with three tiers of casemates surrounding a central . Built atop wooden piles with massive blocks quarried from and , its walls reached thicknesses of 5 to 10 feet, providing robust protection for up to 96 gun emplacements on the tier alone. A seawall, extending about 1,000 feet and completed around using a foundation, shielded the structure from erosion and bombardment, while a water-filled added further seaward defense. The fort was substantially complete by 1861 and fully completed in 1862 at a cost of $750,000, arming it with cannons for enfilading fire on approaching vessels. Complementing this was Fort Tompkins, erected on the 100-foot bluff above for landward protection against assaults, with starting in 1847, major rebuilding from 1859, and completion in 1876. This polygonal fort featured bomb-proof casemates burrowed into the hillside for housing troops and mounting guns, an open courtyard for maneuvers, and a deep dry —excavated by cutting into the hill—flanked by scarps up to 30 feet high to channel attackers into . Its rear facade included embrasures for 28 guns, emphasizing defensive depth with brick arches and granite facings resistant to artillery. By the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Fort Richmond stood ready as a core element of the Third System defenses at Fort Wadsworth, while construction on Fort Tompkins continued, though ongoing refinements like additional cliff batteries extended work into the mid-1860s. These engineering achievements exemplified the era's shift to sophisticated, multi-layered fortifications, integrating sea walls, moats, and elevated emplacements to safeguard .

Civil War era

During the (1861–1865), Fort Wadsworth played a crucial role in the defense of , a primary embarkation point for Union troops and supplies destined for the front lines. As the gateway to one of the Union's most vital ports, the site helped safeguard the influx and outflow of personnel and , with contributing over 500,000 soldiers and vast logistical support to the war effort. The fort's strategic position at ensured protection for this mobilization hub, where regiments assembled before deployment southward. The arrival of the site's first permanent garrison in January 1863 marked a shift to active operational use, with the 5th Regiment of New York Volunteers taking up quarters to man the Third System fortifications, including the substantially complete Fort Richmond (later ) while construction on Fort Tompkins continued. Subsequent units, including elements of the 16th Infantry, rotated through as garrison troops, focusing on maintenance, armament upgrades, and drill exercises amid the ongoing conflict. These activities emphasized readiness for harbor defense, though the post experienced only minor alerts—such as heightened vigilance during periods of Confederate naval threats in the Atlantic—without engaging in direct . Over the war years, the garrison swelled to accommodate up to several hundred soldiers at peak times, underscoring the site's importance in coastal security. In 1865, following the war's conclusion, the fort complex—previously known as Fort Richmond—was officially renamed Fort Wadsworth to honor Brevet James S. Wadsworth, a prominent New York landowner and Union commander killed in action at the on May 6, 1864. Wadsworth had earlier contributed to the war effort by organizing steamer transports for troops and supplies from . By war's end, however, the fortifications' construction and armaments were recognized as obsolete against the rifled and ironclad vessels developed during the conflict, prompting reevaluations of coastal defenses.

Endicott period (1885–1916)

The Endicott period marked a major overhaul of U.S. coastal fortifications, prompted by the 1885 Endicott Board, which recommended modernizing defenses against emerging naval threats such as ironclad warships through the construction of dispersed, concrete-and-steel batteries equipped with high-powered rifled guns, rapid-fire artillery, and submarine mine systems. At Fort Wadsworth, these recommendations led to the development of 12 new Endicott-era batteries between 1895 and 1910, transforming the post from its earlier masonry-focused configuration into a key component of New York Harbor's defenses. The upgrades emphasized concealed emplacements with carriages that allowed artillery to fire over parapets and then retract below ground level for protection, supplemented by mine casemates for controlled underwater explosives. Construction accelerated during the Spanish-American War (1898), with batteries like Ayres—completed in 1901—armed with two 12-inch M1895 rifles on counterweight disappearing carriages, capable of firing 1,000-pound shells over seven miles to deter capital ships. Similarly, Battery Barry, built between 1898 and 1900, featured two 10-inch counterweight disappearing guns, providing overlapping fields of fire across . These installations, along with others such as Battery Duane (five 8-inch counterweight disappearing guns, 1895–1897) and Battery Hudson (two 12-inch counterweight disappearing guns plus one 6-inch and one 4.7-inch rapid-fire gun, 1898–1900), incorporated electric-powered hoists, fire-control systems, and to withstand . Battery Bacon, constructed from 1898 to 1904, added two 3-inch rapid-fire guns for anti-torpedo boat defense, highlighting the era's layered approach to harbor protection. In 1902, the U.S. Army consolidated the defenses under the name Fort Wadsworth, renaming the Civil War-era Fort Richmond as to honor Brigadier General , killed at Gettysburg; this structure was integrated into the broader Endicott network without new armament but served as a central command point. The fort's footprint expanded significantly during this time, growing from about 100 acres in the to 226 acres by through land acquisitions to accommodate the dispersed batteries and support facilities like ammunition magazines and troop barracks. Mine defenses were enhanced with casemates, cable tanks, and loading wharves near , enabling the deployment of controlled submarine mines across the harbor entrance. By 1916, the major Endicott works at Fort Wadsworth were complete, forming a robust, integrated system that included over 50 heavy guns across the batteries, ready to engage threats from long range while minimizing exposure. This modernization shifted the emphasis from static masonry forts to dynamic, technology-driven defenses, ensuring the post's strategic role in safeguarding until the advent of air power and long-range naval guns prompted further evolutions.

World War I

Upon the ' entry into on April 6, 1917, Fort Wadsworth was placed on heightened alert as a key component of the Harbor Defenses of New York, tasked with defense to safeguard from potential naval threats. Soldiers stationed at the fort manned its Endicott-era batteries and participated in rotating schedules with personnel from to support operations at Fort Tilden, ensuring continuous vigilance over the Narrows. The garrison expanded significantly in the lead-up to and during the war, reaching a peak of approximately 1,400 troops by early 1917 and maintaining near that level through 1918 to operate the fortifications effectively. In 1918, several heavy guns were reallocated from Fort Wadsworth to support the in , including the two 12-inch M1895 guns from Battery Ayres, which were dismounted on August 7 and shipped to for conversion and mounting as railway artillery. These were promptly replaced on July 26, 1918, with two 12-inch M1888 guns transferred from Battery Towson at , , to sustain the battery's defensive capability. Similarly, the two 3-inch guns of Battery were dismounted that year and sent to , reflecting broader efforts to repurpose for mobile field use abroad. Fort Wadsworth played a critical role in minefield operations, maintaining an active submarine mine defense system across with electrically detonated floating mines, supported by casemates, cable tanks, and a dedicated railway for mine handling that had been established in the Endicott period. installations, including a pre-war 36-inch on the southeast , were utilized to illuminate potential enemy vessels and coordinate with minefields and gun batteries for nighttime defense. Following the on November 11, 1918, Fort Wadsworth underwent rapid , with the shrinking dramatically to as few as 12 enlisted men and one officer by , and command transferring from the Coast Artillery Corps to units. Armaments were further reduced, with many guns declared obsolete or placed in storage, as the post shifted to a caretaker status amid postwar military downsizing.

Interwar period

Following the of , Fort Wadsworth underwent a significant transition in the early , shifting from its primary role as a installation to an post under the U.S. Army. By 1919, the garrison had diminished dramatically, with the Coast Artillery Corps reduced to a small caretaker detachment responsible for maintaining the existing batteries, while units began to occupy the site for administrative and training purposes. Most of the fort's heavy seacoast artillery, including several guns from batteries like Barbour, was removed from service around 1920, rendering the coastal defenses largely obsolete and placing the remaining emplacements in inactive status by the mid-1920s. During the interwar years, Fort Wadsworth served primarily as a base for training exercises, accommodating units such as elements of the 1st Division for drills and maneuvers on its expansive grounds. The site also functioned as a , supporting logistical needs for nearby activities, though harbor defense updates remained minimal, limited to occasional anti-aircraft installations like four guns emplaced in 1921. Infrastructure developments included the construction of the Battalion Barracks (Building 210) in 1929 and various officer quarters in the early , reflecting its adapted role amid peacetime constraints. The exacerbated the site's reduced military footprint, with garrison sizes fluctuating but often hovering at low levels—such as only 14 enlisted men in 1927—before seeing modest increases in the 1930s due to relief efforts. These programs, including the (WPA) and (CCC), injected approximately $2 million into Fort Wadsworth between 1933 and 1939, funding projects like road widenings, stone walls, parade ground leveling, and landscaping with London plane trees along avenues such as Mont Sec. This investment provided essential employment opportunities for local residents, bolstering the regional economy during widespread unemployment, though the fort's overall activity remained subdued compared to wartime peaks. In the late , amid rising international tensions, subtle signals of rearmament emerged at Fort Wadsworth, including maintenance of select batteries like Catlin for 3-inch anti-aircraft guns and proposals to remove obsolete structures such as Battery Barbour by 1935. The mission formally ended that year, but the site's focus persisted until early , when preparations accelerated to restore full defensive capabilities. These changes underscored a gradual shift toward renewed vigilance without major overhauls during the decade.

World War II

Following the ' entry into in , Fort Wadsworth was swiftly reactivated under the operational control of the Coast Artillery Corps, transitioning from its reduced interwar infantry role to a vital hub for New York Harbor's defense. The fort served as a mobilization and processing center, where units including two battalions were organized and activated in 1942, and it facilitated the brief staging of incoming troops before their redeployment to other theaters. Additionally, it played a crucial part in anti-submarine and overall harbor protection through the maintenance of underwater mine defenses and coordination via the Harbor Entrance Control Post (HECP), which managed ship identification, traffic control, and defensive measures against potential submarine threats in the Narrows. Wartime resource constraints, with priorities shifted toward the Pacific and European fronts, precluded the construction of major new seacoast batteries at the site, though temporary anti-aircraft artillery positions and searchlights were installed to enhance aerial defenses. Existing Endicott-period fortifications, such as Batteries Richmond, Duane, and Ayres, were retained and partially repurposed for anti-aircraft roles, while the training activities of the 1205th Service Command Unit focused on coastal and air defense preparations. Battery Catlin, an older installation, was decommissioned in , and although an earth-covered Battery 218 was completed in to house two 6-inch guns, the armaments were never mounted due to material shortages and strategic reallocations. Fort Wadsworth reached peak activity midway through the war, supporting a garrison that included around 1,000 enlisted personnel, 60 officers, 750 civilians, and 125 volunteers from the Italian Service Unit—former prisoners of war repurposed for labor and headquartered at the fort from late —totaling over 1,900 individuals engaged in defensive and support operations. As the emphasis evolved from seacoast artillery to air and logistical priorities, obsolete Endicott-era guns in several batteries were scrapped beginning after , reflecting broader reductions in fixed coastal armaments across U.S. harbors. By 1945, with the conclusion of major combat operations, Fort Wadsworth shifted toward , prioritizing logistical support for processing returning personnel, supplies, and administrative functions over active . This marked the site's gradual drawdown as a frontline defense installation, culminating in its formal deactivation as a coastal artillery facility in 1946.

Post-World War II and deactivation

Following , Fort Wadsworth transitioned to Cold War-era roles focused on air defense. In the early 1950s, it was established as an anti-aircraft headquarters, with the 52nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) Brigade stationed there by 1952 to manage radar-guided defenses for New York and . From 1955 to 1962, the site served as the command-and-control post for Nike missile systems in the region, overseeing operations from a central location without any missiles deployed on-site; the brigade relocated to Highlands Base in 1963. The U.S. continued to use the fort for administrative purposes, including as for II Corps coordinating Reserve units in the during the era. In 1979, after the vacated the site, the U.S. occupied Fort Wadsworth, designating it the for Naval Station New York and utilizing it for communications, storage, housing, administrative functions, logistics, and warehousing to support naval operations. This period included the development of modern housing in the . Fort Wadsworth was deactivated by the in 1994, marking the end of 331 years of continuous military use since its establishment in 1663. The site was transferred to the in 1995 as part of . Its historical significance had been recognized earlier through listings on the , with in 1972, Fort Tompkins in 1974, and the broader Fort Wadsworth site in 1975; the designation expanded in 2022 to include the Fort Wadsworth Historic District.

Fortifications

Battery Weed

Battery Weed, originally constructed as Fort Richmond between 1847 and 1862 as part of the Third System of U.S. coastal fortifications, served as the primary seaward defense at the entrance to . Designed by Joseph G. Totten, the structure replaced an earlier Second System fort on the site and was built using massive slabs quarried from nearby, with minimal mortar to leverage skilled masonry techniques. The fort's design emphasized a low-profile, water-level battery to maximize enfilading fire across the harbor channel, forming an irregular trapezoid shape with the shorter side facing the water. The architecture featured a four-tier configuration, comprising three enclosed casemated tiers below an open tier, allowing for up to 116 emplacements facing seaward and 24 additional positions for landward flank defense. Its walls varied in thickness, with the measuring six feet and interior supports at least five feet, reinforced by wooden piles and brick arches in the casemates, which stood 35 feet high with segmental openings for guns. Key elements included octagonal stair towers at the courtyard corners, a two-story on the landward side, and four-story blockhouses at the ends of the rear wall, all integrated into a half-hexagon footprint approximately 286 feet along the channel front and 266 feet on the western side, rising about 30 feet high overall. A surrounding , , and guardhouse enhanced landward protection, while the parade ground measured 130 by 230 feet. In 1902, the structure was renamed in honor of Brigadier General , who died at the , and it became a component of the larger Fort Wadsworth complex. During the Endicott period (1885–1916), modifications included the addition of a mine wharf, mining casemates, and a railway system for deploying underwater mines, along with concrete reinforcements at the northwest and adjacent batteries like Catlin and Bacon. A granite north dock was completed in 1858, and a was added in 1903, though later decommissioned. Today, Battery Weed stands as a preserved example of 19th-century coastal fortification within , with interiors partially restored for public tours highlighting its granite arcades and galleries. As of 2024, the is replacing electrical service and repairing structures, including fortifications. Designated a Landmark in 1967 and listed on the in 1972, the site features ongoing vegetation management and structural repairs to maintain its role in interpreting harbor defense history, though some sections have partially collapsed.

Fort Tompkins

Fort Tompkins, a key component of the Fort Wadsworth complex, was constructed between 1859 and 1876 as part of the Third System of seacoast fortifications, designed primarily for landward defense against potential attacks from Staten Island's interior. This granite fort featured two tiers of casemates without traditional cannon embrasures, instead relying on musket loopholes for infantry fire to repel assailants, reflecting the era's emphasis on integrated defensive architecture. The structure's polygonal design, with a perimeter of approximately 400 feet, was engineered by Chief of Engineers Joseph G. Totten and overseen by Colonel John G. Barnard, incorporating advanced features to enhance its protective role. Strategically positioned on the 120-foot-high bluff overlooking —the vital entrance to —Fort Tompkins provided commanding views and fields of fire to safeguard the harbor approaches in coordination with nearby fortifications. Its granite walls enclosed a central parade ground, with a smooth-faced eastern facade and multiple arched entryways, while the landward sides were fortified by a 30-foot-deep dry formed by doubled rear walls. This , spanning about 30 feet in width between 30-foot-high granite scarp and walls, was accessed via underground tunnels leading to counterscarp galleries equipped with rifle ports and slots for , allowing defenders to enfilade any attackers attempting to breach the perimeter. These galleries, essentially mini-forts within the outer wall, included passageways wide enough for soldier maneuverability and storage areas for munitions, underscoring the fort's self-contained defensive capabilities. In 1901, during the Endicott period of coastal defense modernization, Fort Tompkins underwent expansions that integrated additional batteries and infrastructure to adapt to evolving artillery needs, though its core Third System elements remained intact. Today, as part of , the fort is accessible to visitors via a network of stairs and trails that wind up the bluff from Battery Weed below, offering interpretive paths through the and galleries while preserving the site's historical integrity. As of 2024, the is replacing electrical service and repairing structures, including fortifications. The slopes, historically cleared for unobstructed fire, now blend into the park's landscape, providing panoramic vistas of the and harbor.

Other batteries and features

In addition to the primary fortifications of Battery Weed and Fort Tompkins, Fort Wadsworth featured several secondary Endicott-period batteries constructed between 1898 and 1907 to enhance harbor defense with modern disappearing gun emplacements. Battery Hudson, renovated in 1898–1899 and expanded in 1899–1900, was equipped with two 8-inch counterweight disappearing guns, along with one 6-inch and one 4.7-inch rapid-fire gun, positioned south of Battery Weed for strategic oversight of the Narrows. Battery Ayres, built from 1900 to 1902 on newly acquired coastal land, housed two 12-inch counterweight disappearing guns in a two-level reinforced concrete structure spanning 275 feet, designed to target long-range threats from the water. Battery Bacon, renovated between 1898 and 1904 as part of the South Cliff Battery, included two 3-inch rapid-fire guns in a two-level concrete emplacement near Battery Weed, though its guns were dismounted by 1935 due to obsolescence. A network of underground tunnels and passages connected the site's moats, batteries, and support areas, facilitating troop movement and ammunition transport while providing protection from artillery fire; these features, primarily from the Endicott era, included subterranean shafts in batteries like the largely underground Battery 218 (constructed during near Battery Barry for potential 6-inch anti-aircraft guns that were never installed). stations, added in 1907 to illuminate enemy ships at night, were integrated into the defenses alongside mine storage facilities such as the Torpedo Storage Building (Building 147), a stone-and-brick warehouse erected in 1892–1894 near to house floating submarine mines deployed via narrow-gauge tracks into for remote detonation; the structure suffered fire damage in the and now stands as a partial ruin. During and II, additional anti-aircraft emplacements were established, including guns at Battery Barry in 1921 and modifications to Battery Turnbull for aerial defense, supported by searchlights tied to the Harbor Entrance Control Post on Fort Tompkins. Postwar, from 1955 to 1960, the site served as headquarters for the 52nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade overseeing regional defenses, and from 1952 to 1963 it functioned as a command-and-control center for the Nike missile system, though no actual missile launchers were installed on the grounds. Between 1979 and 1994, the U.S. Navy occupied the southern portion as Naval Station New York, constructing housing units like Building 435 (1989) and multi-family Capehart replacements (1991–1993), along with office structures such as Building 120 (1993–1994), which altered historic circulation patterns and damaged nearby Endicott batteries through grading and fill activities. The 226-acre site, encompassing the northeastern shore of , is defined by steep cliffs along , including a 120-foot bluff supporting Fort Tompkins and engineered slopes cleared for fields of fire between batteries; these natural and modified landforms, heavily vegetated today, contribute to the site's defensive landscape integrity. Trails, such as the historic Road (largely unaltered since the late ) and slope walkways built in 1893 linking to Fort Tompkins, along with proposed paths like the Coastal Defense Trail, provide access through the terrain while highlighting remnants of these features.

Current status

Park management and preservation

Fort Wadsworth was incorporated into upon the park's establishment by Congress in 1972, though full administrative control by the (NPS) was not achieved until the site's transfer from the U.S. Navy in 1995. The NPS now manages the 226-acre site as a key unit of Gateway, emphasizing the preservation of its historic fortifications, landscapes, and coastal environment while balancing public access and ecological integrity. Preservation efforts have focused on structural rehabilitation and expanded historic recognition, including the 2022 listing of the entire Fort Wadsworth complex on the , which builds on prior designations for individual features like and Fort Tompkins. Ongoing projects address deterioration from environmental exposure and age, such as the 2012 closure of the for repairs to its and exhibit restoration, with similar work continuing in subsequent years to stabilize key structures. These initiatives are supported by NPS funding and partnerships aimed at long-term sustainability. The NPS collaborates with the U.S. , which maintains a limited presence in select buildings for operational purposes, including Sector New York headquarters, as confirmed through ongoing lease agreements dating back to at least 2007. Environmental protection efforts prioritize the site's coastal bluffs, which overlook and provide natural defenses against erosion; NPS programs monitor and mitigate threats from sea-level rise and stormwater runoff to preserve these features as integral to the . Historical research underpins these preservation activities, notably the 2005 Historic Resource Study, which provides a comprehensive of the site's and informs interpretive programs and restoration priorities. Through such studies and , the NPS ensures Fort Wadsworth's role as a preserved testament to coastal defense history within the broader Gateway framework.

Visitor facilities and access

The Fort Wadsworth , housed in the historic , features exhibits detailing the site's role in New York's 19th-century harbor defense system and its evolution through subsequent eras, including interactive displays and cannon demonstrations. The center is open Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission for all visitors; the surrounding park grounds remain accessible daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and vehicle entry via the McLean Avenue gate is permitted until 10 p.m. Rangers staff the center to provide information and facilitate programs, such as guided explorations of the fortifications. Visitors can explore Fort Tompkins through self-guided tours of its underground tunnels and battery structures, utilizing interpretive signs and maps available at the . Ranger-led programs, offered periodically, focus on the and of the site's defenses, including hikes that combine and military features. Trails wind through the 226-acre site, leading to scenic viewpoints overlooking the and , with parking lots provided near the Bay Street entrance for convenient access. The site is reachable by car via the , exiting onto toward the park entrance, or by public transit including the free from to , followed by the S51 bus to . is available on-site, though permits may be required for extended or specialized use such as overnight . In fiscal year 2025, the undertook replacement of the electrical distribution system to enhance facility reliability and support ongoing services. Accessibility features include wheelchair-accessible paths on Fort Tompkins' parade ground, restrooms, and select historic rooms, with an elevator providing entry to the Gallery. Safety measures along the bluff areas incorporate railings and stabilized walkways to mitigate hazards from steep drops and uneven terrain.

Annual events

Fort Wadsworth serves as the primary and starting village for the annual TCS New York City Marathon, an event that has drawn over 50,000 participants since relocating its start to the site in 1981. Runners gather in designated color-coded zones within the fort's grounds near the lower toll plaza, with the 2025 edition held on November 2 accommodating thousands in preparation for the 26.2-mile course through all five boroughs. The site also hosts the finish festival for the TD , New York City's largest recreational cycling event, where approximately 32,000 riders conclude their 40-mile car-free route each May. The 2025 tour ended at Fort Wadsworth on May 4, providing participants with post-ride celebrations, food vendors, and access to the fort's scenic paths overlooking . The offers recurring guided tours and historical programs at Fort Wadsworth during the summer months, focusing on the site's military heritage from the Revolutionary War through , typically held on weekends from the visitor center. In the fall, NPS-led lantern tours explore the fort's underground tunnels and batteries, such as the annual Fort Tompkins Lantern Tour on October 30, 2025, which delves into dimly lit passages for an immersive evening experience. An annual memorial Mass and ceremony honors recipient and native Father Vincent R. Capodanno at the Father Capodanno Memorial Chapel on the grounds, with the 2025 observance held on August 31 marking the 58th anniversary of his death on September 4, drawing veterans, clergy, and community members. Fort Wadsworth integrates with broader events, including beginner programs that highlight migratory species along the site's coastal trails, complementing park-wide festivals like the annual Shorebird Festival at Wildlife Refuge.

Community and culture

Neighborhood

Fort Wadsworth is situated in the Rosebank neighborhood on the northeastern shore of , New York, occupying 226 acres within the and overlooking waterway that connects Upper and . The site lies directly adjacent to the , completed in 1964, which spans and has significantly influenced local accessibility and development by linking [Staten Island](/page/Staten Island) to . Historically, the neighborhood featured a station on the South Beach Branch of the , which provided service to both military personnel at the fort and local residents until its closure in 1953, after which the line was abandoned. Today, Fort Wadsworth and the surrounding Rosebank area present a residential mix dominated by detached single-family homes, including colonial-style houses and bungalows, alongside townhouses, apartments, and expansive public parks that offer waterfront views and recreational spaces. The military presence at the fort prior to its deactivation in 1994 imposed notable community impacts, such as periodic noise from operations and strict access restrictions that limited civilian entry—by 1975, formal permission was required for public visits—often isolating the site from everyday neighborhood life. Following the transfer to the in 1994, these restrictions eased, fostering an economic shift toward tourism as the park drew visitors for its historical sites and scenic vistas, boosting local businesses and integration with Staten Island's broader community fabric. Nearby landmarks enhance the area's cultural appeal, including the Alice Austen House, a Victorian Gothic cottage and museum dedicated to pioneering photographer Alice Austen, located in Rosebank's waterfront park just south of the fort and offering views of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Local schools serving the neighborhood fall under New York City Department of Education District 31, with prominent options such as P.S. 39 Francis J. Murphy Jr., an elementary school emphasizing STEM education. According to the 2019-2023 American Community Survey, Rosebank's population is approximately 41,714, with a median household income of $86,294; the demographic composition is predominantly White (64.6%) and Asian (20.7%), alongside smaller proportions of other groups, reflecting a year-over-year population decline of 1.2%. Gentrification trends in the area have accelerated, driven by surging home prices—up over 100% in some Staten Island neighborhoods including Rosebank over the past decade—and increased new housing construction, with Rosebank-Shore Acres seeing significant builds in 2024 that cater to higher-income buyers and contribute to a diversifying residential profile. Fort Wadsworth has been featured in various works of , often drawing on its strategic location, historic fortifications, and underground tunnels to evoke themes of secrecy and defense. In the 1982 Marvel Comics series G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, issue #15 depicts the fort as the site of a covert underground headquarters known as "The Pit," a multi-level base beneath the Chaplain's Assistants School that highlights the site's extensive tunnels and battery structures for the elite team's operations. This portrayal underscores the fort's role as a hidden asset, blending real historical elements with fictional narratives. The fort's dramatic views of the and its weathered granite batteries provided a striking backdrop for the 2016 thriller film , directed by and . The final scenes utilize Fort Wadsworth's structures and panoramic vistas to heighten the urban adventure tension, as protagonist Vee () confronts the game's climax amid the site's abandoned fortifications. This cinematic choice emphasizes the fort's eerie, isolated atmosphere against New York City's skyline, transforming it into a symbol of high-stakes risk. Fort Wadsworth appears in several historical documentaries and books focused on New York Harbor's defensive , where it is portrayed as a cornerstone of coastal fortifications from the Revolutionary War through . For instance, Emanuel H. Epstein's Historic Resource Study: A History of Fort Wadsworth details its evolution as part of the Endicott-era defenses, including battery placements and minefields that protected the Narrows. Local lore surrounding the fort's haunted tunnels—tales of ghostly soldiers and unexplained echoes—has been amplified in contemporary media, such as the 2025 YouTube exploration The Abandoned Tunnels of Fort Wadsworth, which delves into the decaying underground passages and batteries while noting persistent supernatural anecdotes from urban explorers. In Staten Island's cultural narratives, Fort Wadsworth symbolizes local pride in the borough's military heritage and resilience, often featured in discussions of abandoned sites that highlight community identity. Podcasts like Bowery Boys episodes on New York fortifications reference the fort's role in harbor defense as a point of regional distinction, tying it to Staten Island's underappreciated historical contributions. This symbolic presence extends to audio explorations of derelict military installations, where the fort represents both forgotten valor and opportunities for rediscovery in local storytelling. The offers ongoing programs, including guided tours and historical reenactments as of 2025, to engage the community with the site's legacy.

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