New York City's Secret Fort | Fort Wadsworth

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Chapters:
00:00 - Introducing Fort Wadsworth
00:42 - The Prehistory of Staten Island
01:25 - The first known military use of Fort Wadsworth
03:35 - The First known block house at Fort Wadsworth
03:59 - How the British Expanded Fort Wadsworth
05:44 - How the United States Expanded Fort Wadsworth
07:08 - Fort Wadsworth during WW1
09:54 - Fort Wadsworth during ww2
12:46 - When the Verrazano Narrows bridge lead to the downfall of Fort Wadsworth
16:52 - The Legacy of Fort Wadsworth
IT’S HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Ryan Socash
Editor - Karolina Pleskot
Host - Ryan Socash
» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[@ITSHISTORY]

Download Rise of Kingdoms now! bit.ly/GreeceRoK_itsHistory Participate in Civilization Clash event today! Fight for your civilization at civilization clash event to win Apple Vision Pro and more prizes: www.rok.games/?kol=ItsHistory Use code “Greece4ROK" for 20 silver keys exclusive for new players. Expired at 3 days after registration.

[@jessemccormack5554]

Great story you should look into fort schuyler maritime academy (Bronx) and fort Totten (queens) supposedly there's a tunnel connecting them.

[@douglasrice4753]

My family and I lived on Ft Wadsworth from 1994-1996 while in the Coast Guard. The Navy had just departed and turned over the housing to CG management. I lived in 3 different apartments during the CG's renovations of the housing; 2 on Florida Court and one on Iowa Circle. The NPS hadn't quite gotten around to doing much with the property since it was turned over to them, so all the forts and batteries were quite overgrown. We'd take family walks along the mostly abandoned roads...even at night it was quite safe, because the entire property was still gated and guarded. I even did some fishing from the beach below the housing area, with Hoffman and Swineburn Islands just off shore. During a beach clean up in April 1996, we started digging up a big chunk of metal, only to realize it was an abandoned army jeep 90% buried in the sand! I sometimes think of it and wonder what they did with it.... Thanks for the memories!

[@hippiesaboteur2556]

That's gotta be hands down the best ever story of what somebody dug up from what they found in the sand at the beach lol, bravo

[@yearight6294]

me too from 2002-2004 and again 2009-2013. being a kid and young teenage there was fun. when hurricane sandy came it washed away part of the bluffs nearly under the bridge, uncovering a tunnel. i had to be the first person to enter it early in decades that morning after the storm passed.. its since had a metal fence at the entrance but i think ppl have bent the bars open. there isn't a single abandoned fort i havent been inside, never once took a tour of the place 😂😂

[@Gamer-boy303]

One of my ancestors was stationed at and helped build Fort Thompkins. He, also, crossed the Delaware with Washington.

[@configuremakeinstall]

The area is called fort wadsworth but the building along the water shown in most photos is called Battery Weed.

[@roberthill2219]

Thank you! I was just about to type that!

[@configuremakeinstall]

as a resident staten islander who visits the area often the title abandoned is a little misleading.

[@roberthill2219]

@@configuremakeinstall It's a lot misleading now that you mentioned it. Gateway has put a ton of money into maintaining and preserving Fort Wadsworth and the last time i was there, about 10 years ago, the whole place looked better then ever...

[@TheCablebill]

yup. I grew up around the Meiers Corners neighborhood and on several occasions bicycled down (literally) to Battery Weed to explore with friends ca. 1970 at the age of 12. It was a dilapidated and neglected stone structure befitting its name then. As kids we were unchallenged as we pedaled into and across the military base surrounding the fort. Times have changed, not necessarily for the better.

[@roberthill2219]

@@TheCablebill Hey! lets not forget the Armory!!!

[@susanwahl6322]

I was stationed at Fort Wadsworth back in ‘78. It’s a lot different then. It was the chaplain’s school.

[@user-yq3fz9ch5q]

Thank YOU, I just posted that. '79

[@Mansellyn]

So was I. AIT for Chaplain's Assistant. I think I got there in late October or early November. I know I was able to watch The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

[@MatthewCaban]

Growing up in that corner of SI, i only started exploring the fort recently. Great place to bike/walk. Excellent trails & steep hills with wonderful vistas as your reward for making it up. Battery Weed is open for tours seasonally. They have goats during the summer to help with the weeds/poison ivy.

[@dcentral]

I see this fort often when I pass the Verrazano Bridge through Staten Island.

[@nycashone]

I absolutely love the history videos from New York/ New York City areas. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@bongwelll]

This is awesome I've seen it before, been living in NYC for half my life, but I never new it was that old.

[@geardo3635]

Actually last I heard as of 2000, there is a Army Reserve unit operating out of this fort, part of several Reserve units in several forts around NYC. The old toll booths for the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Staten Island side required the removal of 1 of 3 rail lines on the Island.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

Yeah, I am a Transportation Management Coordinator (88N) in the U.S. Army Reserve and I have my monthly training weekends at Fort Wadsworth!

[@roberthill2219]

There is most definitely still military activity in Fort Wadsworth.... and MPs at the Bay st main entrance!

[@kjyost]

Good to hear. I was wondering why it wouldn't have been transitioned to NHS status if it was abandoned with that much history...

[@vietmostwanted]

​@@marlonmoncrieffe0728I'm 88 n too!! But my reserves unit is in fort totten Queen, NY

[@jeffgolden253]

To fully explain Fort Wadsworth, don't you also need to explain its proximity and interaction with Fort Hamilton?

[@Bob61944]

I was stationed at Fort Hamilton 1965 - 67 and used to have to go over to Fort Wadsworth often for supplies.

[@alexandersmith3334]

I think Cities of the Underworld said something about a now collapsed tunnel that connects the two forts.

[@shodopoet]

I was processed at Fort H for Navy duty

[@chiquita683]

Nah

[@donalddodson7365]

Thank you, Ryan. I always appreciate your thorough research and effective presentation style. I am always a bit sad when places I had served at in the US Army are torn down. The last one to go is now part of the California State University Monterey Bay.

[@nickgibb4687]

the sunglasses? thats the deal

[@jadedrealist]

Right. It could be a medical thing, if not... it's hella lame.

[@Sophie-cat-]

Its not abandoned it's maintained by the national park service they offer tours.

[@williamlloyd3769]

This site reminds me of Fort Point at the mouth of the Golden Gate. Fort was built in 1853 by Army engineers to protect the San Francisco Bay from foreign attack. Well worth a visit. PS - Impressive to see Golden Gate Bridge looming over the fort!

[@txgunguy2766]

Yup, a triangle of protection, along with another fort on the other side of the Golden Gate and Fort Alcatraz to guard against a possible Confederate invasion of the bay. I SERIOUSLY doubt the Confederates ever considered such an invasion, or even considered one feasible.

[@mikekolczynski5665]

In the 1990s, I installed HVAC systems in the Family Housing building's for the Navy Homeport program.

[@user-tf2ru7oz6w]

I reminds me of Fort Point ,which stands next to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and has appeared in several movies. You might want to do a video on it and its colorful history.

[@1practicaljoker]

What’s with the sunglasses? 😂

[@HighHolyOne]

He looks GREAT!

[@laugh-cry-n-think_]

A nyer loves NYC history. 😊

[@matthewnewton8812]

This channel is amazing!!! I’m from New York and I sometimes wonder about the history of the abandoned shit you can see when you’re high up on bridges or driving by abandoned lots. Incredible research. Thank you!

[@sincerelyyours7538]

I grew up in northern Queens between the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges and used to walk my dog on the narrow strip of land between the Throgs Neck Bridge and Fort Totten located just to the east of there. Though that was more than half a century ago, I don't ever remember learning about Fort Wadsworth in school. Even lived for a time in a Wadsworth Hall back in my college days but that was in Michigan. Fort Wadsworth appears to be yet another of the many places I have never heard of in the city of my birth so thanks for the research into this interesting bit of NYC history. You might do another one on Fort Totten which has its own NYC story to tell.

[@MizTheDonGargon]

bayside!

[@drewdorkhead]

and Fort Tilden in the Rockaways!

[@jetsons101]

Ryan, another great watch, so much history---so little time. How about the Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum, it looks REAL old with lots of history. The main gate is on W 153 street, NY NY, it looks like the city grew all around it and is almost chocking it off. John Jacob Astor IV Grave is there.

[@nyrmetros]

So much colonial history there!

[@joshcee3362]

What about the secret Templar Treasure stored under the Trinity Church? ;)

[@jetsons101]

@@joshcee3362 If really there, sounds like a great subject for another video.....

[@cbroz7492]

IRC Gen Horatio Gates is buried there

[@user-ot9ms6vx8h]

I flew a starship, in the universe divide, among the stars I do abide. I may be back inside a single drop of rain but I'll be back again, and around and around and around..

[@tvbox6955]

😎 what's up with the sunglasses? 😅

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

1:42 - Stay strong, you'll regain your sight. We're all praying for you, brother.

[@BronxBastard730]

It's not a secret at all ... P.S the lennape only moved into the area in the 1300's .. before that they called western NY home until they were ran out and pushed to the south east by the Mohican

[@lookoutforchris]

These tribes were often quite small, ranged over a large area as their hunting territory, and fought viciously to exterminate neighboring tribes.

[@CinCee-]

Ft Wadsworth is in my neighborhood. I used to go there to jog & ride my bike all the time.

[@timrohla3166]

Thanks for another interesting and informative history video. Ryan, you never disappoint and do an outstanding job of making history interesting, no small feat for sure! Keep up the outstanding videos, you always knock it out of the park! Kudos my friend, as always I'm looking forward to many more of your instant classics.

[@loardjohnWhorfin]

I was raised on Staten Island lived with a full view of the VZ being built start to finish, and I was present on opening day with JFK driving over it.

[@sugarjoe50]

I believe the bridge opened in '64. JFK died November '63.

[@marcrodriquez5153]

Ryan this is another one of your hidden wonders. The Joe reference threw me off. 😂

[@frecheewhite431]

I enjoyed learning about that Fort

[@roberthill2219]

Thanks. for once again returning to the place of my birth and childhood, Staten Island! How about Vanderbilt's Tomb next?

[@matthewcole4753]

Snug Harbor is a hidden gem of SI. Some of the best preserved buildings of NYC's history. Since the growth of the borough was much slower until the Verrazzano in 1964, many buildings from before the 19th Century dating back to the Dutch period still stand, not facing demolition by replacement the way buildings in Manhattan would have. However, the Greek Revival Buildings were nearly knocked down if Jackie Kennedy didn't campaign to save it in the late 60's after Penn Station was destroyed. It is one of the first New York City Landmarks given that title, in 1965.

[@roberthill2219]

@@matthewcole4753 Let's not forget Richmondtown... some of the oldest houses and buildings in the country in a group smack in the middle of Staten Island.... or the Conference House.... or the story of South Beach and the FDR boardwalk... or Weissglas Stadium...

[@joannegoebel]

There is a fort in Hampton VA named fort Monroe. Believe its time was from 1609 to 2011 .Might be something you would consider.😂

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

I looked into being stationed there. 1990s era. I was at Fort Lee, near Petersburg. Monroe had what was PERSCOM which I think, 2023 is now Human Recources Command. My MP Co was de activated, FY1995.

[@AndyGrazianoNYC]

Thank you for including Staten Island in many of your videos! We need more love!

[@kenfox22]

Never knew about this fort. Thanks. New subscriber. Wonder if the British left their cannons there after the 1883 withdrawal, if so did they disable them think it's called spiking them

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

😃 Ah, I am a U.S. Army Reservist, here in New York City, and my weekend monthly training weekends are at Fort Wadsworth! ❤ Thanks for making this video!

[@dennismcatee1313]

My father was assigned here 1950 to 1951. He was in the communications branch.

[@Adam_The_Archivist]

It’s HOME!! Grew up on Staten Island and it’s always good to see it recognized for things other than ignorant people!!👍

[@SpayAndNeuterChristians]

S.I. was a beautiful place to grow up in the 60s. Lush, green...

[@Adam_The_Archivist]

@@SpayAndNeuterChristians was also Great in the 80’s but now the place is so crowded it’s not recognizable…. Also LOVE your Handle!!! Absolutely Awesome!!👍👍

[@SpayAndNeuterChristians]

@Adam_The_Archivist thanks, brother. I grew up near the Conference House at the end of Hylan Blvd. The streets were not paved... We didn't have a zip code.

[@Adam_The_Archivist]

@@SpayAndNeuterChristians I’m a Bullshead boy.. Grew up across from Willowbrook Park and the psych ward before it became a school!! Moved away 20 years ago but still miss it strangely!! 🤷‍♂️

[@SpayAndNeuterChristians]

@@Adam_The_Archivist it's a school?!

[@melaniecarver5719]

I used to always look down on it when crossing over into SI when I lived there. It's pretty cool to see from the bridge. I never got to visit. (I was too busy trying to escape, lol). I did manage to go to historic Richmond Town which was pretty awesome.

[@fyrchmyrddin1937]

I tend to wonder the degree to which Ft. Wadsworth was essentially a historical version of modern "Security Theater", providing visible reassurance to the citizens of NYC that they're being protected.

[@harrysweeten9417]

There are many coastal defense stations along the New Jersey coast and the Delaware Bay some dating back to the revolutionary war.

[@ycplum7062]

Several NYC bridges have abutments in former or active federal lands. That is because is is politicly and cheaper to build on federal land than to utilize imminent domain on dozens (maybe hundreds) of privately own lands.

[@jordi6795]

0:24 I came for this mention, great video as well, very informative and interesting! 👍

[@Robert-bk1dm]

Did the ground maintenance from 1990 to 1993. Had the key to battery weed so I could cut the grass. My friend used to visit me and we'd go to battery weed and drink beer and enjoy the sights. Peace out.

[@KillerBot5100]

You get the best views of Manhattan if you climb/circle the fence around Battery Weed and go onto the stone seawall. It’s technically trespassing I guess but it’s all stable and easy walking, and plenty wide to walk without having to balance. Great spot to chill out and watch the cars, boats, and city.

[@johnbayliss1098]

Thank you Ryan thank you for being there I was stationed over there also in fort Wadsworth and incredible beautiful place

[@michaellucassen9726]

What's with the glasses have you got pink eye

[@fortress1133]

As a Long Islander I've passed this place a dozen times going to Jersey but didn't know what it was. Extremely interesting. BTW The Verrazano is a big "nope" bridge for me. The damn thing rises 1,000 feet then drops you into Staten Island, all while swaying on a windy day. Give me the GW or Williamsburg if I have to cross a bridge.

[@CinCee-]

Take the bottom its way less scarey

[@fortress1133]

@@CinCee- Yeh I did the last time I drove it. I still prefer the tunnels.

[@CinCee-]

@@fortress1133 I go over it everyday & even I hate the top. I always take the bottom

[@fortress1133]

@@CinCee- When my wife drives she always takes the top, but then she's the one that convinced me to go skydiving. It takes longer but I prefer to avoid it all together.

[@TheCablebill]

The tops of the towers are 697 feet high. But yeah, the view from the roadway at center span is spectacular.

[@localnyraccoon]

I live in Staten Island and this area is really interesting. I ride my bike there on my way to the beach and it has great views. If you're ever on Staten Island I recommend checking the area out.

[@bethparker1500]

Who labored to build this, poured all the concrete. Did a nice job.

[@AFExploration]

Corey Hart - Sunglasses At Night springs to mind 😁😁😁

[@barrishautomotive]

When you're cool the sun never sets

[@michaelwhite2823]

I was thinking Jackie Onassis.

[@davidpawson7393]

How's the piano. RIP Stevie

[@regularjoe621]

Thank you for posting I grew up in Queens I have been to Fort TOTTEN and HAMILTON MANY TIMES 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@nukingjapanwasok6265]

Can you do an episode on Fort Sheridan?

[@savoirfaire5460]

my family would go the fort and get kicked out by the MPs when they was our car might have took them 30 minutes to find us cuz of the size of the fort

[@ryanryan3473]

LOOKS LIKE A GREAT CONCERT VENUE TO ME!

[@bobertmcboberty1385]

my favorite spot to walk around on the island

[@stevecausey545]

I don't know what's up with the sunglasses...but all the historians I follow..just impart facts...

[@buckchesterfield8886]

There’s so many batteries that look just like this and they’re all awesome.

[@bb5242]

The GI Joe team's secret bunker was supposedly located below the Chaplain's Assistant's School located beneath Ft. Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY

[@joedirt3449]

Lou Reed shades!

[@eriknelson45]

Then 15 Dutch dudes with a cannon and 8 rifles took over a whole state

[@zelemas3062]

Are the most pictures in this video not only showing a single battery but not the fort itself?

[@zergessc]

That’s what they said about Plattsburgh AFB, NY in ‘95 when it closed - longest running military footprint in the country.

[@dmac6004]

Quick comment, there is no "s" at the end of Verrazzano it is simply the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Mr. V. was the Italian explorer who actually predated Henry Hudson.

[@unkorichie2029]

When I was in the Navy in the early 90s, I was stationed at Naval Station Staten Island down Bay Street. For administrative tasks or to visit the Navy Exchange, we went to Fort Wadsworth.

[@Richard-pe4cx]

nice info on the history but no actual video of the site from yourself 😔

[@djxcel23]

there is activity every day at the fort

[@BsGaming732]

0:56 EVEN BEFORE WE STOLE THIS LAND IT WAS SPLIT SOUTH, CENTRAL, AND NORTH JERSEY! Before we even got here the dialect even was broken up into 3 different groups lol

[@bigglilwayne7050]

Coolest abandoned place NYC is North Brother Island

[@jonnyheathen6104]

Maybe in the next video we could see the sunnies and the big floppy hat for the ultimate double whammy!? 😂

[@bret9741]

The US military never should have closed their best bases, ie. San Fran, Boot Camp San Diego (Liberty Station), Fort Ord Monterey Bay Ca, Absolutely never should have given up or closed Key West Florida Naval Station and Sub Marine base. Naval Station Long Beach, Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Charleston Naval Shipyard and Naval Station …. I could go on and on. What the military should have done is make sure there was sufficient land and base housing making it affordable to live in some of these amazing places.

[@barrishautomotive]

Ok, but why are you wearing sunglasses indoors?

[@cme1027]

What about ft totten by the throngs neck bridge?

[@FCm-tq2ho]

There was a movie filmed here a few years ago.

[@rickdrais9737]

Akin to Old Fort Point in San Francisco, beneath the Golden Gate Bridge

[@antoniopacelli]

0:27 And they even Grew an English Park on the Rooftop oooh Adorabile From Special Agents Groups...

[@eddiekulp1241]

Was used till 1994 ? Can hardly believe that

[@user-yq3fz9ch5q]

I want to say this was the chaplain school decades ago

[@gmbenz2482]

i guess it's not a secret anymore!

[@leisamaggard113]

WHY DONT YOU PUT THE ILLEGELS IN THERE!

[@garfixit]

Wow

[@kanetyler4399]

Did they shoot the ending of “ we own the night” here?

[@ralphwatt8752]

Would make a great hotel

[@gene7887]

Can't imagine trying to enforce blackout regulations today. "GIT YER HANDS OFF MUH 'LECTRICITY! MY FREEDOM TO LIGHT UP THE NIGHT SKY LIKE MIDDAY SHALL NOT BE ABRIDGED! 'MERICA!"

[@jamesmurray8558]

It was in G.I.Joe.Did not think it was real.

[@justinhobart8747]

😉👍 Nice video Ryan, Nice to see an actual history lesson on one of those forts... Instead, of a "supposed history channel" I ran across that ran across a few months ago that was sharing pseudo history about them... 🙄 Tartarian Conspiracy B.S... I just finally posted a new video again today after quite a while. There's a good bit of a history in it, you might like it... I'm kind of new to the youtube, not very many subscribers or views, but this video involves railroad history and a nice scenic hike, so if you check it out let me know what you think. 😉👍 And thanks again for sharing your Video... 😁👍

[@geraldhardy4257]

Is it still a SECRET?

[@scottgrimmie5645]

I've taken photos here

[@texaswunderkind]

"On this site in 1873, nothing happened."

[@francissobotka8725]

Fort Wandsworth home of gi joe

[@robertharker]

The dark glasses look stupid. Too bright under the lights? Just turn them down.

[@stelladonaconfredobutler9459]

Leh-NAP-PAY!! Damn noone gets this right. Lenape=LEN-AHH-PAY

[@vandie9759]

lets send all of the "New : americans therer

[@kenhunt5153]

Shout out to the Stover Family from FW.

[@bluestandard328]

Bro why show your face if you got these sunshades on? Take em off. Feels weird not seeing your eyes

[@lookoutforchris]

Len opp pay… not Len a pee…

[@worldtraveler930]

I'm just here for the shoot your Wad at fort Wadsworth Jokes!!! 🤠👍 P.s. So far I am Disappointed!!

[@perryclark3897]

That’s where we should put the homeless!

[@rogerpenske2411]

We are all Native Americans. Please refrain from using the term to refer to American Indians, as it is far left, divisive, racist, hate speech

[@frankiehumphreyiv5972]

Negative, it is the Accurate Definition of The Native ie Indigenous People of The Continent Of North America not The Country of America. -Sarge

[@lorenzojoneson]

not at all a secret