The Blockhouse

Historical landmark · Central Park ·

The Blockhouse

Historical landmark · Central Park ·

Oldest structure in Central Park, a War of 1812 fort

Information

W 109th St, New York, NY 10026 Get directions

@atlasobscura

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The Quietest Spots in America’s Loudest City

"At the crest of Central Park’s North Woods, one of the few places in central Manhattan where you can maintain (if fleetingly) the fantasy of being in the wilderness, perches Blockhouse No. 1. This fort is the oldest structure in the park, constructed as part of a series of fortifications during the War of 1812. It is the sole remaining fortification from these defenses, which originally included three other forts in Harlem (now Morningside) Heights. Blockhouse No. 1 was hastily constructed under the direction of General Joseph Gardner Swift. Manhattan’s fortifications were prompted by a nearby naval battle. On August 9, 1814, a squadron of British war vessels attacked the town of Stonington, Connecticut. Within days, New Yorkers assembled to dig trenches and build forts along the high ground in Manhattan. Firemen, lawyers, members of the Master Butchers Association, the Sons of Erin, Columbia College students, and others volunteered, building the fort out of materials brought with them, resulting in the red sandstone blocks included with the Manhattan schist. Blockhouse No. 1 was built on a previously existing foundation, likely dating back to the Revolutionary War. The fort consists of a two-story bunker containing small gunports. It originally included a revolving turret for a cannon. None of these fortifications ever saw combat. Shortly following their construction, the Treaty of Ghent was signed to end the war, after which the fortifications were abandoned practically overnight. Blockhouse No. 1 was later used as an ammunition and storage building, during which time the top two feet of stonework were added. It was maintained by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as a lovely stone folly in their design of Central Park. Visiting Blockhouse No.1 today, you will see no signs to indicate this history. This is because the fort has a curious habit of losing its plaques. The first bronze tablet commemorating the fort’s history was placed above the door in 1905. The unexplained absence of Park Commissioner Pallas at this ceremony caused for it to be accepted instead by General Frederick D. Grant, son of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. However, this original plaque was stolen, noticed missing in 1913. In 1993, the Blockhouse had another sign erected recounting its history, only to be stolen again in 2013." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/the-quietest-spots-in-america-s-loudest-city

alexandralake (Atlas Obscura User)

The Blockhouse

WilderWasHere

Google

You’ll find Blockhouse No. 1 if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t trust the map, who keeps walking when the trail says stop. It’s buried deep in the North Woods of Central Park, up past Harlem Meer, where tourists disappear and raccoons start running the show. It’s not a monument, it’s not pretty, and it’s not open. Just a stone husk of a fort left over from the War of 1812, sitting like an old drunk who refuses to leave the bar. The thing’s older than the park itself. Built when people still thought the British might come back. They didn’t, but the Blockhouse stayed, half swallowed by vines and time. Go early, like sunrise. The woods are wet and quiet then, the city still rubbing the sleep out of its eyes. The air smells like moss and dog piss and history. You’ll see joggers, but they move fast, eyes down. Nobody stops here. They pass it like it’s cursed. And maybe it is. Stand by the iron gate, run your hand along the rough stone, feel the chill. There’s no plaque worth reading, no ranger explaining the glory days. Just you and a structure that outlived every general who ever gave an order. It’s the kind of place that reminds you most things last longer when people forget about them. Bring coffee, maybe a bagel. Sit on the ledge, let the sun crawl up the blocks, and listen to the city breathe through the trees. Somewhere behind you, saxophones from a Harlem window, sirens, maybe church bells. All of it mixes into one long note that sounds like New York’s heartbeat.

Deaflephant

Google

Nice hidden little place deep in north woods. Great for a picnic, a smoke, a kiss, (and sketchy things)... There's many, many trails that all splits up and merge all over so you will always be finding new trails every visit. Very cool for vanishing from civilization...

Davis D. J.

Google

It is amazing how many Manhattanites and New Yorkers are unaware of this piece of intact War of 1812 history. While it saw no combat, this blockhouse and a string of other fortifications were manned during the war (see the accompanying screenshots of paintings) to prevent the British capturing New York, as they had done during the Revolutionary War. If you have time you should walk due east to McGowan's Pass Redoubt. There you will find the full pictures and history on interpretive signs of the War of 1812 defenses, which back then were meant to defend New York (still far to the south at the time) and the King's Bridge Road.

Kévin D.

Google

This place is very isolated from everything else. Nobody usually comes here. It's an interesting piece of history stranded on top of a hill somewhere that is not very attractive. But if you do like taking a look at historical places this is probably one of them. Other comments explain a more in depth story about it. Very cool.

W Y

Google

Build in 1814, the Blockhouse is the second-oldest structure. It’s the oldest surviving building siting on a big rock in the north woods in Central Park. On the West side of the park at 109th Street. It used to be the fortification system of New York City.

Justin M.

Google

The Urban Park Rangers offered a free tour of the forts and on this tour was Block House Number 1. The Ranger even had the key to let us inside of the Block House. This was definitely worth the trip out to the northern part of Central Park.

Benjamin S.

Google

Love this secluded area of the park. So much history in this relatively small structure.

Jim M.

Google

Just a stone block house with a very small locked grate "door". Pretty space, small sitting area and is up high but vegetation blocks view.

Marianne W.

Yelp

The Blockhouse was a one of a kind experience! I'm so glad I took the time to see this historic site. You really should visit. This place is quite a hike up some tough terrain for this old lady. It was worth it when I got to the top. I was the only one there for a short time. It was kinda spooky because it looks like an old jail. Constructed in 1814, decades before the Park was even an idea, the Blockhouse is the oldest surviving building in Central Park. Located on a prominent rock outcrop in the North Woods, the stone structure was part of a fortification system built to defend New York from the British during the War of 1812. It's very cool to see and I highly recommend you visit this historic location in the park. The view from up there is great too. I'm a little afraid of heights and it was steep so I took one quick look down! I doubt I'll return to visit this location unless a family or friend visiting me insists. I know how to get there now.

Phil H.

Yelp

So cool that we have old forts in Central Park and The Blockhouse is considered the oldest standing structure built here. Built during the War of 1812 it was meant to fortify the northern part of the city from attack. It up there pretty high so I can understand the strategic vantage point. It never saw any action but it stands as a monument to wartime efforts in NYC. The American flag and POW/MIA flag still flies above it in honor. It's not east to get to as there are a lot of narrow stairs to climb, and uneven slippery ground. There is a padlocked entrance but you can view inside. It's in the North Woods at 109th and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd.

Steve A.

Yelp

Basically I've seen everything there is to see in Central Park just about. It still has some surprises left. The Blockhouse is one of these. Hard to find. When you learn how much of a challenge it is finding it then no wonder it took so long to know about it. First some background. It supposedly is the oldest structure in Central Park. This was used as a fort in the war of 1812. New York had forts in the south like Castle Clinton. They decided they needed forts in the north after a nearby attack in Connecticut, so they build a few in the northern parts. This is one of these. It had a pretty hidden location. This is located in the North Woods. It's a cool story even though it never saw any action. The fort is now overgrown. It's at the top of the hill where you enter the park at Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard. It's up lots of steps. This is hard to find but worth it to see an important structure.

Eloy Y.

Yelp

After having some delicious pastries, we had to walk a bit and arrived at the oldest standing building in NYC's Central Park. Cleopatra's Needle which is an obelisk from Egypt is older. Completed in 1814, the Blockhouse is a small fort located in the northwest corner (North Wood). During the War of 1812, New Yorkers constructed fortifications along the waterfront at the Battery and Ellis Island assuming that a British attack would come from the harbor at the southern tip of Manhattan Island. However when the British attacked Stonington, Connecticut on Long Island Sound on August 10, 1814, the city was quite unprepared to defend itself from an attack from the east or the north. So this building and a few others were built for protection. To visit this place, one would enter the park near Warrior's Gate at Powell Blvd. (7th Avenue). Please note the hills are steep, rough and not smoothly staircases ascend as high as a two or three story building.

@atlasobscura

4,908 Postcards · 2,019 Cities

The Quietest Spots in America’s Loudest City

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/the-quietest-spots-in-america-s-loudest-city

alexandralake (Atlas Obscura User)

The Blockhouse

WilderWasHere

Google

Deaflephant

Google

Davis D. J.

Google

Kévin D.

Google

W Y

Google

Justin M.

Google

Benjamin S.

Google

Love this secluded area of the park. So much history in this relatively small structure.

Jim M.

Google

Just a stone block house with a very small locked grate "door". Pretty space, small sitting area and is up high but vegetation blocks view.

Marianne W.

Yelp

Phil H.

Yelp

Steve A.

Yelp

Eloy Y.

Yelp

The Blockhouse

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The Quietest Spots in America’s Loudest City

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