Fort Stevens (New York)

The ground beneath you once served as a vital shield for New York City during the War of 1812. You are standing on what was known as Hallett’s Point, the site of Fort Stevens. Constructed in 1814, this fortification was built to guard the treacherous Hell Gate channel against potential British naval incursions. The fort was named in honor of General Ebenezer Stevens, a Revolutionary War veteran who came out of retirement to oversee its command. The position was highly strategic because it controlled the narrow, dangerous passage where the East River meets the Long Island Sound.