Horn's Hook Fort

Horn's Hook Fort (1776-1783) - A Patriot Revolutionary War Fort established in 1776 on Manhattan Island, New York County, New York. Destroyed, captured, partially rebuilt and occupied by the British until they evacuated New York City in 1783. Abandoned as a fortification in 1783 at the end of the war. Also known as Thompson's Battery.

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  Hell-Gate Map & Horn's Hook Fort Plan circa 1776

History of Horn's Hook Fort

Established in February 1776 on the east river at present day Gracie Mansion across from Ward's Island and Hell Gate. Built as a star shaped fortification with 9 gun positions. Destroyed by the British in 1776 and partially rebuilt by them. British additions to the fort included palisades, additional batteries and a palisaded blockhouse.

Control of the fort was returned to Patriot forces as the British evacuated New York at 12 noon on 25 Nov 1783. With the departure of the British and the acceptance of the Treaty of Paris the fort was abandoned as a fortification in 1783.

The abandoned fortifications at Horn's Hook were leveled in 1794 to make way for the building of Gracie Mansion by Archibald Gracie. This mansion later became the official residence of the New York City Mayor.

Some sources indicate that the Horn's Hook fort was renewed during the War of 1812 along with additional fortifications nearby at Gracie's Point and Rhinelander's Point.

Current Status

The fort was located in the vicinity of present day 89th Street and East End Avenue on the East River opposite Ward's Island and Hell Gate. The fort site is now a part of Carl Schurz Park, the site of Gracie Mansion, the traditional home of the New York City Mayor.

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Location: Carl Schurz Park, New York City, New York County, New York. The map point is approximate.
Lat: 40.776744 Long: -73.942968 Elevation: 33' Bing, Google

See Also:

• New York City Forts

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 600-601.
• Mines, John Flavel, A tour around New York, and My summer acre; being the recreations of Mr. Felix Oldboy, New York, Harper & brothers, 1893, 550 pages, Pdf, page 398.
• USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 2091802

Links:

• North American Forts - Horn's Hook Fort
• New York State Military Museum - Horn's Hook Fort

Related

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New York City Forts, Revolutionary War, Thompson's Battery, War of 1812,