Fact Sheet: Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument

Built to Keep People Out, Now Welcomes Visitors In

Established: August 12, 1946

Location: Battery Park, New York City, New York 10004

Overview: Built between 1807-11, this structure served as a fortification for the defense of New York Harbor, an entertainment center, an immigration depot through which more than 8 million people entered the United States, and the first New York City Aquarium. Castle Clinton was designed by Lt. Col. Jonathan Williams, a gifted military engineer and the first Commandant of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.More than a dozen forts were built to defend New York Harbor at the time of the War of 1812. Southwest Battery, as it was first known, was constructed on shallow rocks just off the tip of Manhattan Island. Although fully armed, the fort never had occasion to fire upon an enemy. In 1815, the fort was renamed Castle Clinton in honor of DeWitt Clinton, Mayor and later Governor of New York. The army vacated the fort in 1821 and the structure was deeded to New York City in 1823.In 1824, the fort was turned over to New York City for use as a recreation and entertainment site. In the 19th century, such places were called "gardens" (just as today we have Madison Square Garden) and the Castle became known as "Castle Garden." In 1844, the structure was redesigned and converted for use as one of New York’s first European-style Opera Houses. Between 1855-1890, Castle Garden served as the main receiving station for over 8 million immigrants entering the United States through New York City. When these operations moved to Ellis Island between 1890-1892, the space was converted into New York City’s first Aquarium, opening in 1896. The Aquarium moved out in 1941, and Castle Clinton was designated a National Monument in 1946. The site has been operated by the National Park Service ever since.

Exhibits/Tours:

"History of the Castle" is a free guided tour. This 20-minute ranger-guided tour illustrates the colorful history of Castle Clinton and how it served as a fort, entertainment center, immigration depot and aquarium. These tours are available to the public Monday through Sunday at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM,and 3:30 PM. The schedule is subject to staff availability. No reservation is necessary.
A museum gallery offers dioramas representing each period in the evolution of the Castle and Lower Manhattan from 1811 to 1940.Ferry tickets for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are available here.

Visitor Information: [phone]

Web Site: www.nps.gov/cacl