Fort Schuyler ca. 1954

A good example of 19th Century fort design and construction, Throgg's Neck was first considered for a fort in 1818. 52 acres of land was bought from William Bayard in 1826. Construction was begun in 1833 and the Fort was ready for use in 1845. During the Civil War it was used by artillerymen. It was then regarrisoned in June 1877 by Infantry until in the early part of the 19th century it was abandoned and fell into great disrepair. It was built of granite from Greenwich, Connecticut and built in an irregular pentagon. It was considered the finest example of the French type of fort for land and sea defense built in the United States. It was restored and altered for the use of the Merchant Marine Academy during 1934-38 by the W.P.A. An additional floor was introduced under the arches to provide a mezzanine floor.