Forts Wood and Gibson, New York Harbor

From National Park Service.

These are forts that are located on Liberty (formerly Bedloe's Island) and Ellis Island.  Fort Wood still exists as the base of the Statue of Liberty, upon which the pedestal sits.  Fort Gibson protected Ellis Island which served for many years as the entry to the United States for hundreds of thousands of immigrants.

Bedloe's Island was a strategic spot in New York Harbor and a massive stone fort was constructed in 1807 and named for American Army engineer who died in the siege of Fort Erie in the War of 1812.  The remnants of the eleven-pointed star fort  are still visible today at the base of the Statue of Liberty.  The whole interior has been filled in though.

It was built to defend against a British attack which never came.

Fort Gibson was built on nearby Ellis Island in 1795, but renamed in honor of Colonel James Gibson who also died in the Siege of Fort Erie.

Only a portion of the foundation of the fort remains today.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Wood

Last week, I wrote about American Col. Eleazor Wood, who was killed at the sortie from Fort Erie on Sept. 17, 1814.  I mentioned that the fort at the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor was named after him.

From Civil War Talk.

Fort Wood was completed before the War of 1812 but saw no action since the British never attacked New York City.

Prior to the end of the war, the fortification was given the name Fort Wood in honor of the fallen colonel.

Originally it was simply known as the "Works on Bedloe's Island."

--Brock-Perry