Fort Totten (New York City, New York)

USA / New York / Saddle Rock / New York City, New York
 military, fortification

Sub-Installations

Fort Totten

Fort Totten received its name from General and Chief Engineer Joseph G. Totten and is steeped in history. The fort was founded in 1857 with plans prepared by then Captain and West Point graduate Robert E. Lee. In 1862 the Fort was reconstructed as a Civil War-era military installation for the purposes of defending the eastern approach to New York Harbor via the East River, but not completed. The Army upgraded Fort Totten in about 1900 with long range coastal guns which subsequently turned Fort Totten into the chief fort for protection of the "back door" to New York City opposite Fort Schuyler. It remained responsible for a portion of the United State coastal and aerial defenses until 1967.

Fort Totten then had most of its armaments removed as it became a center for Army families. In March 1995, the United States government officially closed the Fort. However, Fort Totten still housed the 77th Army Reserve Command which had soldiers deployed in Iraq for Gulf War II.

The New York City Fire Department, and other government agencies and non-profit organizations now inhabit the majority of fort buildings.

The Fort, which encompasses 49.5-acres, was handed over to the Parks Department by the National Parks Service in 2004, and in early 2005 was made a public park and historic site.

The Secretary of Defense has recently recommended the relocation of five US Army Reserve Centers in the greater New York City area to Fort Totten. This will significantly enhance training, mobilization, equipment readiness and deployment. This recommendation also provides the opportunity for other Local, State, or Federal organizations to partner with the Reserve Components to enhance homeland security and homeland defense at a reduced cost to those agencies.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   40°47'30"N   73°46'34"W

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This article was last modified 13 years ago