It was built up during the fall of 1861, as part of the defense of washington, d. Fort totten park is a former united states army installation in bayside, queens on the north shore of long island. This site was first named willets point, but later renamed for general joseph totten who died in washington, dc in 1864. Bhss archival repository makes available to researchers primary source material, artifacts, property of historical interest, records, material and ephemera. Construction of fort totten, named after general joseph totten, began in in 1862. Construction on the fort began in august 1861 and was completed in 1863. Construction began in august 1861 and was completed in 1863.
In the 1950s, fort totten was a regional nike missile headquarters for the ny area. The fort was used to police the surrounding indian reservation, guard transportation routes and aid the dakota sioux indians. Located on the southeastern edge of the town of fort totten, this site preserves a military post built in 1867 and used continuously as a military reservation until 1890 when it became a boarding school for indian children. Fort totten state historic site, fort totten, north dakota. Civil war fort established in 1861 in northeast washington dc. There is still a heavy official presence in the park and many of the surviving buildings are used by emergency medical services, the people who bring you to the hospital charging an arm and. Fort totten state historic site history state historical. Nov 25, 2012 fort totten park is a former united states army installation in bayside, queens on the north shore of long island. The goal of the residency is to bring perspectives from the arts and humanities to urban land management, social and ecological research, and community stewardship. Find people and find the right business and get things done. It is located along the cross island parkway off totten avenue between totten and 15th roads in the queens neighborhood of bay terrace.
The top 10 secrets of fort totten park in queens untapped new. Nestled in stunning waterfront fort totten park, bayside historical society is the ideal place for your story book wedding. Fort totten is a former active united states army installation in the new york city borough of queens. There is still a heavy official presence in the park and many of the surviving buildings are used by emergency medical services, the people who bring you to the hospital charging an arm and a leg as well as the fdny and the nypd for training purposes. Fort totten bayside, ny 159 new york path through history. Fort totten 18671890 established 17 jul 1867 by captain samuel a. Rebuilt in 1711 as queens fort, renamed fort anne fort schuyler 2. A march 29 email shared among highranking city officials in new york and viewed by ny daily news said, if the current outbreak escalates, burials will occur at fort totten and hart island.
Fort totten is a former united states army installation in the new york city borough of queens. New yorks makeshift covid19 burial site was once gangster joseph valachis hideout. Fort totten is at the end of the q bus line, and the bus should be marked fort totten when you get on at flushing main street. Most of this former 150acre base was transformed into a public park since 2005, with the rest of the base divided between the coast guard, fire department, police department, and us army reserve. Nicholson in his advance against the french nicholson expedition, in the queen annes war, named in honor of col. Fort totten state historic site state historical society of. Historic fort totten battery made accessible to public. The fort mounted 20 guns and mortars, including eight 32pounders. The fort totten school functioned as a tuberculosis preventorium between 1935 and 1940, a fiveyear experimental program to care for and educate children with tuberculosis. On hot summer days, swimmers can take a dip in the pool and sunbathe around its grassy edges, or take. Foursquare uses cookies to provide you with an optimal experience, to personalize ads that you may see, and to help advertisers measure the results of their ad campaigns. Fort totten is at the head of little neck bay, where the east river widens to become long island sound. I was deployed to fort totten in 2015, to organize the agencys book collection and drafting historical signs.
Lots of buildings remain from the areas military pastsome used, some dilapidated. Fort totten was a union army defensive earthwork, built during the civil war and named for joseph totten. Amazing abandoned civil war fort exploration in nyc fort totten queens, ny. Visit fort totten on your trip to bayside or united states. It was a scenic assignment where i could spend my lunch break exploring the fort and swimming in its pool while basking in the history all around me. Although the original stone battery was never completed, the fort continued to be improved and remained an active army base until it closed in the 1970s. A pristine stretch surrounding a preserved civil war fortress, fort totten park provides not only recreation and relaxation but a fascinating glimpse into new yorks past yearround, new yorkers flock to fort totten park to enjoy its special events, natural wonders, and historic buildings. This site is operated by the state historical society of north dakota. Performances, lectures, activities, social gatherings, family programs, and local events engage visitors at the castle, and cultivate appreciation.
Fort totten park news urban field station in fort totten. Fort totten is a former united states army installation in the new york city. Earlys attack on that fort on july 11 and 12, 1864. Unfortunately, the majority of these stuctures have been disused for. It is located on the north shore of long island, on a peninsula. Located on the fort totten indian reservation, this north dakota state historic site got its start in 1867 when soldiers built a log structure that in no time was enlarged and expanded to include dozens of buildings situated on the southeastern shore of devils lake, its purpose was to protect the totten trail, an overland route that extended across dakota territory from southern minnesota.
Nestled in the stunning waterfront fort totten park, the castle is the ideal place for your story book wedding, engagement party, bridal or baby shower, reunion, or any other special event. Chief warrant officer jacob jack fein, us army, retired appointed official curator for military history at fort totten. Fort totten, north dakota protecting the totten trail fort totten, north dakota located on the fort totten indian reservation, this north dakota state historic site got its start in 1867 when soldiers built a log structure that in no time was enlarged and expanded to include dozens of buildings. On hot summer days, swimmers can take a dip in the. Yearround, new yorkers flock to fort totten park to enjoy its special events, natural wonders, and historic buildings. The fort was used to police the surrounding indian reservation, guard. Fort ticonderoga fort carillon fort totten willetts point textual records of this post, 18661914, including registers, reports, and correspondence. A pristine stretch surrounding a preserved civil war fortress, fort totten park provides not only recreation and relaxation but a fascinating glimpse into new yorks past. Fort totten served as the headquarters for the antiaircraft portion of the eastern defense command during world war ii, organizing antiaircraft defenses for the entire east coast. The fort s 100pounder parrott rifle provided longrange support to fort stevens during confederate general jubal a. Fort totten park is a great place to take a walk and explore nature.
Urban park rangers lead regular tours of the fortress and the wildlife. Dec 28, 2018 i was deployed to fort totten in 2015, to organize the agencys book collection and drafting historical signs. Fort totten bayside 2020 all you need to know before. State historical society of north dakota fort totten. According to nyc parks, the area was originally inhabited by the matinecock indians, the neighborhood of bayside was first settled during the american revolution. Nestled in the stunning waterfront fort totten park, the castle is the ideal place for your storybook wedding, engagement party, bridal or baby shower, reunion, or any other special event. Whitepages is the largest and most trusted online phone book and directory. Check out news about the base, its history and photos of the base and many of its residents over the years. To volunteer for our various committees of the friends group or for any of our upcoming events do not hesitate to contact us. Nov 29, 2015 amazing abandoned civil war fort exploration in nyc fort totten queens, ny jeff takes disney.
Fort totten becomes headquarters for over half the nike missile sites in the country 1953. New york military records genealogy familysearch wiki. Fort totten state historic site state historical society. Fort totten sits on a farflung peninsula of the long island sound, forming the northeast corner of queens. Youll find an old fort for exploring, a visitors center with historical exhibits, more local history at the bayside historical society, playing fields, and great views and walks. Having served as the officers club for the fort for more than 75 years, this unique venue can be tailored to your events distinctive needs. Oct 08, 2018 however, fort totten isnt a park in the same sense that other eastern queens parks like crocheron, cunningham or even flushing meadowscorona park are. Fort totten new york state division of military and. Tucked away on the north eastern edge of queens is a rare remnant of new york citys past that many dont even know exist.
Im still developing a list of features for the site, but it will include a fairly detailed history, memories, historical photos and the latest news about the base. Amazing abandoned civil war fort exploration in nyc fort. Fort totten officers club new york, new york landmark. However, fort totten isnt a park in the same sense that other eastern queens parks like crocheron, cunningham or even flushing meadowscorona park are. Fort totten officers club, also known as the castle, is a historic clubhouse located at fort. Changing and permanent exhibits stimulate interest in the history and culture of northeast queens.
The fort was named after brigadier general joseph g. Fort totten is a former active united states army installation in the new york city borough of. Named for joseph gilbert totten a military engineer from new haven in 1788. Fort totten bayside 2020 all you need to know before you. The bayside historical society offers an array of public programs in the arts and humanities along with changing exhibits, collections, and events. Grazing leases, 1901 1903, textual national archives identifier. Location changed 1 may 1968 to fort totten, new york ordered into active military service 24 march 1970 at fort totten, new york. Additionally, the email also laid out the groundwork required to transform fort totten into a burial ground. The battery, which means it held more than six guns, was made of bluestone and granite.
It is a worthwhile place to walk around and a park ranger will give you a talk about how important this fort was to keep ny waters safe. Fort totten sits on a farflung peninsula of the long island sound, forming. Fort totten, north dakota protecting the totten trail. It is located on the willets point peninsula on the north shore of long island. Mar 23, 2015 location changed 1 may 1968 to fort totten, new york ordered into active military service 24 march 1970 at fort totten, new york. The grounds of this defunct military installation turned underfunded public park are home to over 100 historic buildings representing a series of changes that have taken place over the areas quiet 200 year history. Bayside historical society, top venue in bayside read. Name also used by americans for fort stanwix during the revolutionary war. Fort totten is at the head of little neck bay, which is also the place where the east river widens to become long island sound. Fort totten was conceived as a civil war era military installation to defend the eastern approach to new york harbor via the east river. Copies of letters of permission to sell hay, 1900 1903, volume national archives identifier.
Check out the discussion board and the alumni list. City parks department, the queens historical society, the fort totten conservancy, the new. Infantry and named after brigadier general joseph g. Dating back to 1887, the landmarkdesignated gothic revivalstyle building reflects the grand decor of a bygone era.
Fort schuyler new york state division of military and naval. The station is mainly considered to be in the neighborhood of fort totten, even though the station platform actually straddles, or in other words, basically. Get a signed copy of abandoned nyc the book with a free 8. Read between the lines of the subway map to find the hidden abandoned civil war fort.
A pristine stretch surrounding a preserved civil war fortress, fort totten park provides not only recreation, relaxation and a glimpse into new yorks past, but an opportunity to view wildlife. You will be riding the entire route, so bring a book or a good guide like forgotten ny or forgotten queens. Many materials used are culled from the archival collection, and encourage conversation and inquiry. Lee, constructed in 1862 as a civil warera military installation constructed to defend the eastern approach to new york harbor via the east river, but not completed. Fort totten white pages phone books in north dakota nd. A favorite haunt of urban explorers, fort totten park may not receive as many tourists. The forts 100pounder parrott rifle provided longrange support to fort stevens during confederate general jubal a. Fort totten new york state division of military and naval. Three artists have been selected to participate in the second year of the arts and humanities residency program hosted at fort totten parks urban field station, in bayside, queens. If you lived on, worked on, or visited fort totten the one in bayside queens new york city, stop on in. Decommissioned as a military base in the 1970s, fort totten is located at the head of little neck bay where the east river widens to become the long island sound.
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