Home / New York City / Parks / Governors Island

Fort Jay

Fort Jay was initially built in 1776 to protect New York City from the British Navy, and although it was not completely successful, concerns about the fort aided Washington's strategic retreat after the defeat in the Battle of Brooklyn. The fort was named for John Jay, one of the country's founding fathers.

In the 1790s, the earthworks were rebuilt in anticipation of a war with France that never materialized and the gatehouse may date from that time. From 1806 to 1809 the earthworks were replaced with granite and brick walls and a dry moat designed by Army Chief Engineer Jonathan Williams.

The fort's importance diminished with the construction of Fort Hamilton and Fort Wadsworth in the Narrows and brick barracks were built to replace wooden barracks inside the fort. During the Civil War the fort was ringed with 50 Rodman cannons and the barracks were used to temporarily house captured Confederate officers. Although advances in artillery made the fort obsolete in the early 20th century, the cannons survived until 1942 when all but three were scrapped for the war effort.

Next: The Ferry Back