Constructed between 1808 and 1811, the Southwest Battery fort stood off the tip of Lower Manhattan to protect the city against British troops during the War of 1812. Armed with 28 cannons, the fort never fired a single shot throughout the war. In 1815, the Southwest Battery was renamed to Castle Clinton in honor of Mayor DeWitt Clinton, later Governor of New York.

In 1823, the military ceded Castle Clinton to New York City, which renamed the building Castle Garden. On July 3rd of that same year, the new entertainment venue of the city opened to the public promoting a beer garden, restaurant, amphitheater, exhibition hall, opera house, and a promenade. Welcoming some of the greatest acts of the age including "The Swedish Nightingale" Jenny Lind's American debut as well as inventors showcasing their creations such as the telegraph, Castle Garden became the must-see New York spot for culture, arts, and science. A second story and a roof were added to the building in order to accommodate its growing year-round popularity.

On August 3, 1855, Castle Garden opened its doors as the first immigration processing center in the United States. During its role as an immigration center, Castle Garden welcomed over 8 million people through its doors. One in six native-born American citizens can trace their lineage back to Castle Garden. Here, new immigrants were officially processed, given health examinations, and sought transportation for any potential further travel.

The exponential rise in immigrants forced the federal government to take control of the immigration process. Officials needed to find a location with more space and better resources to accommodate the growing needs at the depot. On April 18, 1890, Castle Garden closed its doors in preparation for the opening of Ellis Island.

The city repurposed the building and opened the New York Aquarium at Castle Garden on December 10, 1896. The 30,000 visitors were welcomed by 150 different specimens of fish and aquatic species. Over the years, different directors focused on conservation, whaling bans, growing the collection leading the aquarium to become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.

A popular attraction, the city's decision to close the Castle Garden location in 1941 and relocate the aquarium to Coney Island in order to construct the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel was incredibly controversial. Still, the move went forward as planned and on June 6, 1957, the aquarium reopened at its current location making it the oldest continuously operating aquarium in America.

Multiple attempts to demolish Castle Clinton came up after relocating the aquarium. Demolition plans proceeded against many public outcries leaving only the fort's original walls standing. Once America joined World War II further demolition stopped as all resources were pushed into the war effort.

After the war, calls for preserving what was left of Castle Clinton increased. On August 12, 1946, President Harry S. Truman declared the building a National Monument. The city then ceded the building to the federal government on July 18, 1950. Massive renovations overseen by the National Park Service allowed for the Castle Clinton National Monument to open to the public in 1975. Today, it serves as the departure point to visit the Statue of Liberty. If you want to learn more visit our blog