Flagstaff Fort

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Flagstaff Fort
Staten Island, New York
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Flagstaff Fort
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Flagstaff Fort
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Flagstaff Fort
Coordinates 40°36′18″N74°03′24″W / 40.60500°N 74.05667°W / 40.60500; -74.05667
Type Redoubt
Site information
OwnerNational Park Service
Site history
BuiltJune 1776
Built by Patriot forces
In use1776-1783
DemolishedReplaced by Fort Tompkins in 1806
Battles/wars American Revolutionary War
Garrison information
OccupantsNational Park Service

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.

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References

  1. 1 2 Roberts, pp. 587-589, 604-605
  2. Fort Wadsworth at American Forts Network
  3. 1 2 Roberts, pp. 587-589

40°36′18″N74°03′24″W / 40.60500°N 74.05667°W / 40.60500; -74.05667