Fort Totten (3)
Fort Totten (3) (1862-1995) - A Third System coastal defense fort originally funded by Congress in 1857. Construction began in 1862 during the U.S. Civil War under the supervision of Col. William P. Trowbridge. Originally known as the Fort at Willet's Point (1857-1861) then as Camp Morgan (1861-1898) and finally as Fort Totten (1898-Present). Named for Maj. Gen. Joseph G. Totten, Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army. Congress approved the closing of Fort Totten in 1995.
Fort Totten (3) History
The original purpose of Fort Totten was to protect the East River approach to New York Harbor, along with Fort Schuyler, located on Throgs Neck, directly across the river.
The original Third System fortifications included an uncompleted Water Battery. Two batteries were built during the 1870's, the 16 gun Mortar Battery and the 27 Gun Battery. Additional batteries built during the Endicott Period are listed below. The fort had various support missions during World War I and World War II and, from 1954 to 1974, served as the Headquarters for 1st Region NIKE missile defense system for New York and New England.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery King | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1898-1900-1900-1935 | $ 19,329 | Buried |
| Battery Mahan | 2 | 12" | Disappearing | 1898-1900-1900-1918 | $ 88,535 | |
| Battery Graham | 2 | 10" | Disappearing | 1896-1897-1897-1918 | $ 218,037 | |
| Battery Sumner | 2 | 8" | Disappearing | 1897-1899-1899-1917 | $ 45,000 | |
| Battery Stuart | 2 | 5" | Balanced Pillar | 1899-1900-1899-1917 | $ 9,300 | |
| Battery Baker | 2 2 |
3" 3" |
Masking Parapet Pedestal |
1897-1900-1900-1920 190?-190?-1904-1945 |
$ 18,150 | |
| Battery Burnes | 2 | 3" | Pedestal | 1903-1904-1904-1945 | $ 10,000 | |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
Current Status
In 1995 Congress approved the closing of Fort Totten. In 2004 49.5 acres was turned over to the NYC Parks Department by the National Parks Service and U.S. Defense Department. In 2005 Fort Totten Park opened to the public.
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Location: Willet's Point, Queens, New York Maps & Images Lat: 40.794676 Long: -73.778687 |
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