Fort Wood (2)

Fort Wood (2) (1811-1937) - A Second System star shaped fort completed in 1811 on Bedloe's Island, in New York Harbor. Named after Colonel Eleazer Derby Wood (1873-1814). Abandoned by the Army in 1937.

Statue of Liberty on Fort Wood Base

Fort Wood (2) History

Originally constructed as a Second System between 1809 and 1811. The fortification was built as a 12 pointed star shaped fortification to mount 24 guns. The post was garrisoned and abandoned several times before 1849. During this period it expanded to mount 77 guns and garrison up to 350 men. In 1849 the post was temporarily turned into an immigrant examining station. Fort Wood was re-garrisoned on 18 Jan 1861 just before the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War.

Current Status

Now a part of Statue of Liberty National Monument on Liberty Island. The original star fort serves as the base for the Statue of Liberty. The last fort buildings were removed during the 1950s.

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Location: Liberty Island, New York County, New York. Maps & Images Lat: 40.69 Long: -74.045278 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 7'

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 594-596

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Wood (2)
• New York State Military Museum - Fort Wood

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Fort Wood (2) Picture Gallery

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