One of the oldest military installations in the nation, is right here on Staten Island, overlooking New York Harbor.  The forts were used from the Civil War to World War II.  Mary Wadsworth wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, to name the fort after her husband, who died for our country.  The fortified barracks were used for the military to sleep, exercise, and practice.  The forts became a part of Gateway National Park in 1994. 

Fun Facts:

• The hill was built up and then the fort was built inside of the hill so that the enemies trying to ambush from the hill would fall into the fort.  This was a dry moat.

• There used to be a fort called Fort Diamond, but they had to knock it down when they built the bridge.

• Fort Battery Weed was built in 1861.

• The first tennis court in America was right here, and Alice Austin played here.

• Fort Tompkins was named after the Governor of NY and Vice President.