Hudson River Valley

Last Update: 17/NOVEMBER/2007

Compiled by Pete Payette - Š2007 American Forts Network

Fort Schaghticoke
(1703 - 1776), Schaghticoke
A palisaded fort with watchtowers and barracks, located at Tamhannock Creek and the Hoosic River west of town. It was rebuilt in the 1740's, and 1756 - 1760. Used by Patriots in 1775, captured by Loyalists in 1776. It may have then been destroyed.

Fort Half-Moon (1)
(1669, 1691 - unknown, 1757 - 1759), Waterford
Built by the British for the protection of the Schagticoke Indians. Located near present-day Lock No. 1 above Campbell Island. In ruins by 1702 and repaired in 1704. No remains. A British fort from 1669 is still extant in town.

In 1757 a new fort was built on pilings at the mouth of the Mohawk River. Garrisoned by British troops until 1759.

Peebles Island Blockhouse
(1777 - 1782), Haver Island
Located across the Mohawk River from Waterford was a Patriot blockhouse with three batteries that protected a supply depot on nearby Van Schaick Island in Cohoes, known as Camp Van Schaick. The Van Schaick Mansion at 1 Van Schaick Ave. in Cohoes was used as the Continental Army's northern headquarters in 1777. Post was still active during a border dispute with Vermont in 1782. Earthworks still exist. Peebles Island tour

Camp Strong
(1860's), Troy
A Civil War training camp located at the Rensselaer County Agricultural Society fairgrounds. It may have also been called Camp Stevens (?).

Watervliet Arsenal (U.S. Army Reservation)
(1813 - present), Watervliet
Established in 1813, production started in 1817. It is the oldest continuously active Federal Arsenal in the U.S. Produces cannon and gun tubes for the artillery and tank corps. The New York State Military Museum was located here until 2002, relocated to Saratoga Springs.

Castle Island Trading Post
(1542), Albany
A French trading post located on Castle Island.

Fort Orange
(1624 - 1675, 1699 ?), Albany
Dutch Fort Nassau (1) (1613 - 1617) was located on Castle Island, south of Patroon's Island. It was washed out by a flood. Castle Island no longer exists due to river course changes, but would now be under the US 9/US 20 bridge complex. The post moved to the mainland at Norman's Kill in 1618, but was abandoned in 1624. A new fort, now renamed, was built upstream from the first. The British took over in 1664, renamed Fort Albany (1). Briefly held by the Dutch again in 1673 - 1674, reusing the old name Fort Nassau (2). Regained by the British and then abandoned in 1675. Replaced by Fort Frederick. This was the state's first permanent white settlement, originally named Beverwyck in 1652 until 1664. Briefly renamed by the Dutch again in 1673 as Willemstad. The 1624 Fort Orange site was partially excavated in 1970.

Fort Frederick
(1676 - 1789), Albany
The town was stockaded until 1789. A masonry fort with 21 guns replaced the old wooden fort in 1702. Located on State Street Hill. Also known as Fort at Albany (2), or Post at Albany, and also unofficially as Fort Anne (2) (1702 - 1708) by then governor Lord Cornbury. Additional troop barracks were outside the fort. This post was the objective of British General Burgoyne's campaign of 1777. Dismantled after the war, the stones used for various projects.

Aurania Stockade
(1624 - unknown), Rensselaer
A Dutch stockaded settlement for French Huguenots. Site on Riverside Ave. near Fort Crailo.

Fort Crailo
(Crailo State Historical Site)
(1750's), Rensselaer
The British fortified an old Dutch settlers' brick manor house (Crailo) (1642) with a palisade, located on Riverside Ave.. This is the birthplace of the song, "Yankee Doodle". British officers scoffed at the American colonial militia units posted here and made up the lyrics. The house has been restored and is now a museum of colonial Dutch culture.

Greenbush Fort
(1663 - 1690), East Greenbush
A Dutch stockaded fort three miles east that protected settlers from Indian attacks.

Greenbush Cantonment
(1812 - 1819), East Greenbush
A 400-acre post that was the headquarters of the Northern Division of the U.S. Army. Built here were eight two-story barracks, three Officers' quarters, hospital, two commissaries, arsenal, armory, guardhouses, magazine, and stables around a parade ground. Inactivated and then sold in 1831. All buildings were removed except one Officers' Quarters building, which became the residence of the new owner. This structure still exists today. The Red Mill School occupies the parade ground site.

Camp Hardin
(1861 - 1866, 1898), Averill Park
A demobilization camp for state troops after the Spanish-American War. Previously the site of an unnamed Civil War training camp.

Catskill Fort
(1776 - 1783), Catskill
A Patriot garrison was here for use in Schoharie Valley actions.

Red Hook Barracks
(1775 - 1782), Red Hook
Patriot barracks often used as a rest stop for New England troops moving into the Mid-Atlantic colonies. It also protected a gunpowder mill in Rhinebeck, the largest in New York at the time.

Fort Esopus
(1658 - 1677), Kingston
A Dutch palisaded settlement with a moat and guardhouse, also known as Fort Wiltwyck. It was attacked by Esopus Indians in 1659. Site located at North Front Street, John Street, and Clinton Ave.. Esopus was the original name for the town until chartered as Wiltwyck in 1661. Renamed by the British in 1664. Briefly renamed by the Dutch again in 1673 as Swanenburgh.

A Dutch trading post was first located here in 1615.

Hurley Blockhouse
(1660 ? - 1686), Hurley
A Dutch Walloon settlers' palisaded blockhouse. Attacked by Esopus Indians in 1661.

Deyo's Hill Blockhouse
(1757 - 1764), Pine Bush
One of a chain of militia blockhouses built by Capt. James Clinton. Site located on US 209 north of Kerhonkson.

New Paltz Stockade
(1678 - unknown), New Paltz
A stockaded twelve log cabin settlement of French Huguenots. Stone dwellings were built in 1705.

Daniel Dubois' Fort
(1705 - unknown), New Paltz
A settlers' fortified stone house. It still exists on Huguenot Street.

Camp Dutchess
(1862), Poughkeepsie
A temporary Civil War encampment, located one mile northeast of the courthouse.

Camp Whitman
(1916), Green Haven
A NY National Guard mobilization camp for the Mexican Border Crisis of 1916. Site located at the NY State Industrial Farm, now the Green Haven Correctional Facility.

Fishkill Barracks
(1776 - 1782), Fishkill
Also known as Fishkill Supply Depot, it was the largest Patriot supply depot during the war. Located about one mile south of town on both sides of present-day US 9. Located here in addition to the supply depot were an administration headquarters for all Patriot troops east of the Hudson River, barracks for 2000 troops, a hospital, and a POW camp. The Van Wyck Homestead was used as the Officers' quarters.

Just to the south at Wiccopee Pass (below Beacon) were the Wiccoppe Pass Batteries, three gun batteries for the duration of the war, protecting the river barrier (1777) from Pollepel's (Bannerman's) Island to Fort Plum Point (see below). A gun battery may have also been located on the island in 1777 (Pollepel's Island Battery).

Fort Plum Point
(1777), near New Windsor
A Patriot 14-gun battery north of Murder Creek, also known as Capt. Machin's Battery, protecting the chevaux-de-frise in the Hudson River. The barrier proved useless as the British Navy easily maneuvered through it during their raid on Kingston in October 1777.

New Windsor Cantonment (State Historic Site)
(1782 - 1783), Vails Gate
The last winter encampment of Patriot forces under General George Washington in the final days of the American Revolution. About 7000 officers and men lived here in 700 huts and seperate Officers' quarters, laid out in regular streets. The largest structure was an assembly hall called "The Temple of Virtue", located on Temple Hill. The Order of the Purple Heart was created here, and was only awarded to a total of eight men. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. The Society of the Cincinnati was also formed here. The "Newburgh Addresses", the greatest conspiracy against Washington's military leadership, took place here. The camp was dismantled when the peace treaty was signed. Only one Officer's hut was saved as a private dwelling, and was restored to its location in 1934. Another hut was later found as part of a barn, and restoration efforts were undertaken. The park was created in 1965 with a scale reconstruction of the village. Also here is Knox's Headquarters State Historical Site, and nearby in Newburgh is Washington's Headquarters State Historical Site.

Fortress West Point
(United States Military Academy) | (USMA: West Point Tourism)
(1778 - 1802/present), West Point
Constructed after the demise of Forts Montgomery (1), Clinton (2), and Independence (2) in 1777. Fort Arnold was constructed first in 1778, and was originally considered the principal fort. It was renamed Fort Clinton (4) in 1780. It guarded the chain across the river. It was restored in 1857, and is in good condition today. The other major fort here was Fort Putnam (2). It was partially rebuilt in 1780 and 1794, and was restored in 1910, and again in 1976. Other minor forts built in 1778 were Chain Battery, Lantern (Lanthorn) Battery, Water Battery (aka Green Battery), Knox Battery (aka South Battery) (no longer exists), Sherburne's Battery (no longer exists), Fort Webb (no trace remains), Fort Wyllys with out battery, and Fort Meigs. Built in 1779 were Redoubts #1 (with two out batteries), #2 (with out battery), #3, #4. Another website

On Constitution Island (Martlaer's Rock) across the river was built Fort Constitution (a) in 1775. It consisted of Roman's Battery and a blockhouse, Marine Battery, Hill Cliff Battery (1776), and Gravel Hill Battery (1776). The British destroyed the fort in October 1777. In 1778, with the construction of the new fort across the river, the Marine Battery and Gravel Hill Batteries were rebuilt. The Gravel Hill Battery was renamed Greaton's Battery. Also built in 1778 were Redoubts #5, #6, and #7. The eastern end of the river chain was anchored here. The island became part of the USMA property in 1915.

Two miles southeast of Constitution Island on Fort Hill, near the town of Garrison were North and South Redoubts, built in 1779.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point was formerly called West Point Military Academy. Became Federal property in 1790. The first engineer cadet class started in 1802. Coast Artillery training batteries were once located here. They were Battery Schofield (disappearing carriage), Seacoast Battery (barbette), and Battery Byrne (Mortar Battery until 1911) (mortars). Battery Byrne was buried under today's parade ground grandstand in 1931. Live-fire training was conducted at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

Also part of the USMA are Camp Buckner (1821 - present), originally at the site of Fort Arnold/Clinton. It was moved to Lake Popolopen in 1942, southwest of main campus, and renamed Camp Popolopen. In 1945 the name was changed back to Camp Buckner. Camp Smith NY State Military Reservation (1892 - present) is located across the Hudson River from Bear Mountain, and was originally named Camp Townsend until 1913. It was a muster and assembly camp for state troops during the Spanish-American War (1898). It was enlarged in 1913 and 1925. Both camps are now modern training grounds for the USMA and NY National Guard. The Stewart Army Sub Post (1941 - present) at Stewart International Airport (formerly Stewart Army Air Field - Air Force Base until 1972) in Newburgh is used for USMA cadet flight training.

Fort Montgomery (1)
(1776 - 1777), Fort Montgomery *PHOTOS*
Its function was to guard the chain across the Hudson River to prevent the British from sailing upriver. It failed to do that. Destroyed by the British in October 1777 after a furious battle. The Patriots used the site as a camp after 1778, and also erected Putnam's Battery (1779 - 1783) here as a watchpost for West Point. Earthworks of the Grand Battery still exist, as well as a powder magazine. Several redoubts west of US 9, including Round Hill Redoubt, no longer exist.

Fort Clinton (2)
(Bear Mountain State Park)
(1776 - 1777), Fort Montgomery *PHOTOS*
Located just south of Fort Montgomery across Popolopen Creek. It was renamed by the British after its capture (October 1777) to Fort Vaughan. The British then abandoned the post shortly thereafter. The Bear Mountain Historical Museum is located within the site of the fort. The West Redoubt still exists, located near the US 9 traffic circle.

Fort Independence (2)
(1776 - 1777), Peekskill
A small Patriot earthwork defense with barracks. Originally named Fort Constitution (b). Its purpose was to defend Continental Village, a Patriot supply depot located three miles northeast. In October 1777 the British attacked the garrison and destroyed it, along with Forts Clinton (2) and Montgomery (1). The site of the fort was on Tethard's Hill (Fort Hill Park) on Roa (Rahway) Hook, near the entrance to Camp Smith. Site now obliterated by a quarry.

Located on Galloway Hill (Annsville) to the east of here was Fort Look Out, another Patriot defense that was also destroyed by the British in October 1777.

Fort Lafayette (1)
(1779 - 1783), Verplanck
A Patriot fort protecting King's Ferry, located south of West Point on Verplanck Point, which is across the river from Stony Point (see below). This fort and Stony Point were the southern outposts of the West Point defenses, and were often refered to as the King's Ferry Forts. They were captured by the British in May-June 1779 before they were completed, but the Patriots soon recaptured Stony Point in July. The British again retook Stony Point, and strengthened both defenses. The British later secretly abandoned both forts in October 1779 to concentrate on New York City's defenses. The Patriots then held both forts until the end of the war. Another website (a) | Another website (b)

Stony Point Fort
(Stony Point Battlefield State Historical Site)
(1779 - 1783), Stony Point
A Patriot fort/blockhouse located across from Verplanck Point. May have been called Fort Hamilton (1). Captured by the British in May 1779. Recaptured by Patriots in July 1779, but soon retaken again by the British and strengthened. The British referred to this post as "Little Gibraltar". Abandoned by the British in October 1779 and held by the Patriots until the end of the war. The lighthouse was erected here in 1826. Another website for Stony Point Battlefield.

Teller's Point Battery
(1777), Croton-on-Hudson
A small Patriot battery was located here.

Camp Rose
(1917 - 1919), Croton Resevoir
A NY National Guard camp near the "Pines Bridge" (location ?) protecting New York City's water supply during WWI.

Miller's Hill Redoubt
(Miller's Hill Battlefield Park)
(1776), New Castle Township *PHOTO*
A Patriot redoubt built during the last phase of the Battle of White Plains (October 1776). Monument and earthwork remains on site.
(info courtesy of Mike Casale)

Camp Greenburgh
(1777, 1781), Hartsdale
Temporary headquarters for the French Army after arriving in New York. Site located along Ridge Road. The Odell House (under restoration) at 425 Ridge Road was used as the Officers' quarters. Site was also used in 1781.

Dobbs' Ferry Forts
(1776 - 1783), Dobbs Ferry
Patriot works overlooking the ferry landing, commanding an excellent view of the Hudson River in both directions. The British captured the fort after the Patriots abandoned New York City. The fort was recaptured in January 1777. Two redoubts were nearby, and the ruins of all three works were still visible in 1850.

Camp Bluefields
(1918), Blauvelt
A WWI POW camp located on the grounds of a former state guard target range (pre 1915). Site now a county park (Clausland Mountain Park ? or Blauvelt State Park ?).

Dobbs' Ferry Blockhouse
(1780 - 1783), Palisades
A large wooden and stone blockhouse about 500 feet north of the road to Sneden's Landing, just south of today's Tallman Mountain State Park. Also known as Sneden's Landing Blockhouse. A battery of three guns was also built to cover the ferry landing to Dobbs Ferry.

Special thanks to Col. Michael Stenzel, NY NG, for information from the New York's Forts website.

Northeastern New York - page 1 | Mohawk River Valley - page 2 | New York City I - page 4
New York City II - page 5 | Long Island - page 6 | Western New York - page 7
Northwestern New York - page 8