Fort Tilden - Queens

Battery Harris East

I’m stepping out of Brooklyn for this post on Fort Tilden. Just across Jamaica Bay from Marine Park’s Dead Horse Bay is Fort Tilden, a popular spot for Brooklynites and Queens residents alike.

Intro
Located on the southwest end of the Rockaway Peninsula, Fort Tilden was an army base of 309 acres strategically located to defend New York Harbor. The base was built in 1917 as part of an emergency military buildup during WWI. The base began with smaller 12” gun batteries to defend against maritime threats but evolved over time to address new advances in military technology, as well as new types of warfare.[1] Although covered with dunes and vegetation today, most of the base was once  an open landscape.[2] In 1974 military operations ceased and the base was turned over to the National Park’s Service for incorporation into the Gateway National Recreation Area. After being decomissioned nature was allowed to return the base's landscape to the natural state it's in today.[1][2]

Fort Tilden 16" Gun Emplacement

View of Crew and Rails for Munition Supply from Barrel of 16" Gun
(Photo Source: History of Fort Tilden at www.oocities.org)

Nike Hercules Missile at Fort Tilden
(Photo Source: Techbastard.com)

Looking Out from Under Battery Harris East Bunker

Looking Into the Battery Harris East Bunker

Pill Box / Machine Gun Nest

Defenses and Fortifications
The fortifications and armament constructed during WWI were part of the Taft system of defense. Secretary of war William Taft outfitted U.S. defense fortifications with electric lights, motorized ammunition hoists, searchlights, telephone communications and observation posts for accurate targeting of enemy ships. After WWI anti-aircraft guns and camouflage were added to address the new threat from aerial attack. In the mid-1930s, prior to the Second World War, the depression era WPA constructed many additional buildings on the base. During WWII, larger, M1919MII 16" gun batteries were added and existing guns were fortified in concrete bunkers known as casemates, with additional protection and camouflage provided by a cover of sand and vegetation. From above the batteries are hidden within the dunes. In 1954-1955, during the Cold War, Fort Tilden’s defense capabilities were enhanced with additional anti-aircraft guns and Nike surface to air missiles.[3]  

Fort Tilden Building

Fort Tilden Building

Fort Tilden Building

Fort Tilden Building

Fort Tilden Magazine Building

Remaining Buildings
Since the base was decommissioned much of its infrastructure, including large gun mounts on the beach, has been covered by sand dunes and maritime vegetation. Many of the remaining buildings have been unmaintained, vandalized and damaged by storms including Hurricane Sandy. The most impressive remaining structures include 4 large artillery bunkers known as Battery Harris East and Battery Harris West. One of the bunkers has an observation platform with public access. In addition to the bunkers there are pill boxes (machine gun nests) in the dunes behind the shoreline, a hanger, magazine buildings (for ammunition storage) and a generator building among others.[5] 

The Park
If you visit Fort Tilden today, there are many types of park programs and facilities for you to take advantage of. The Rockaway Artist Alliance and the Rockaway Theatre Company offer cultural programming. “Tours and ranger-led programs highlight many great spots to see wildlife in the maritime forest”. The observation deck on top of one of the bunkers can be used for taking in panoramic views and bird watching.[4] For active recreation, the shoreline offers typical beach activities and there are athletic fields for soccer and baseball at the east end of the park.

Additional Photos

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View from Observation Platform on top of Battery Harris East

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References:

1. "A Detailed History of Fort Tilden" NationalParksService.gov
2. Selvek, Christina & Auwaerter, John Cultural Landscape Report for Fort Tilden Olmstead Center for Landscape Preservation - National Park Service, Boston Massachusetts, 2005
3. “Nike Missile Site NY-49 Fort Tilden New York” TechBastard.com
4. “Fort Tilden” NewYorkHarborParks.com
5. "The History of Fort Tilden" www.oocities.org

Abandoned Tip of Hunter's Point

East River and Manhattan Skyline from Hunter's Point

Hunter’s Point is the land mass of Long Island City bordered by Newtown Creek, the East River and Queens Plaza. Hunter’s Point South is a development along the East River. A friend and I recently paid a visit to the abandoned southwestern tip of the Point at the mouth of Newtown Creek to see what’s left of the old East River waterfront. If you want to get an idea of what parts of the Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts were once like, I recommend taking a trip over the Pulaski Bridge into Long Island City to check it out before it’s gone for good.

Looking South Across the Abandoned Tip of Hunter's Point

Burned Out Construction Trailer

Looking North Across the Abandoned Tip of Hunter's Point

The name Hunters Point comes from Captain George Hunter who maintained a “low island farm” on the banks of Newtown Creek with his wife Ann.[1][2] Their estate was comprised of 210 acres.  By 1833 the captain and Ann had passed away leaving their estate to be sold by there three sons.[2] The land was sold for 100,000 in 1835 to Jeremiah Johnson who resold the land two years later for $200,000.[1][2] Between 1852 and 1853 the estate’s hills were removed and used as fill between present day 5th Street and the bulkhead along the east river.[1] In addition, streets and adjacent building lots were parsed out for sale to home buyers.[2]

1994 Aerial of Abandoned Tip of Hunter's Point

2001 Aerial of Abandoned Tip of Hunter's Point

2004 Aerial of Abandoned Tip of Hunter's Point

2014 Aerial of Abandoned Tip of Hunter's Point

There used to be a large industrial building on the eastern portion of the site. That building was demolished sometime around 2004 and all that remains of the facility is a small parking lot used by contractors. Since 2004 most of the site has been used for construction staging and stock piling. The trailer that burned down sometime within the last several months was once a construction field office. Other construction equipment and materials can be found scattered throughout the weeds. The area looks as though it has recently been cleared, although most of the site has been kept devoid of large trees since at least the 1990s. Much of the larger vegetation that has been allowed to remain is along the water and is made up of fast growing weed trees, like Cottonwood and Ailanthus. 

The area is frequented by visitors. Urban explorers, squatters, graffiti artists, dog walkers high school students and others have made this patch of Hunter’s Point their playground, or in some cases their temporary home.[3] There is evidence of people using the abandoned construction trailer as a crash pad and in the woods along the river is a sturdy makeshift tent with a skyline view. Although, it did not appear as though either shelter was inhabited.

Backhoe Near Tree Line

All good things must come to an end. There have been plans to develop this piece of land since 1983 and while it remains undeveloped, the expansion of Gantry State Park and addition of another gated community in the sky will soon transform this landscape into a formal urban space. According to Curbed, a request for proposal was let in May of 2014 for the final phase of construction of the Hunter’s Point South development.[3] So, act quickly if you wish to see this relic the of New York City waterfront.

Looking Across Newtown Creek to the Future Site of Greenpoint Landing

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Sources:

1. "Hunter's Point" Brooklyn / Queens Waterfront
2. "History of Long Island City" Queens West Villager
3. "Exploring One of the East River's Disappearing Untamed Spaces" Curbed