Suddenly, a wave of names crashes over you Rathbone, McIndoe. This is Battery Barry. It stands as a testament to New York City’s ever-evolving story. The Battery, formerly Battery Park, covers 25 acres. It sits at Manhattan Island’s southern tip.
The area’s story stretches back to the Lenape Native Americans. Dutch settlers then arrived establishing New Amsterdam in the 17th century. They called this area Capske Hook or Capsie Hoek, derived from the Lenape word for rocky ledge.
Fort Amsterdam was constructed here in 1625-1626. It was later taken over by the British in 1664. They renamed it Fort James. In 1683, an artillery battery was installed giving the area its name. The Battery. Other batteries followed.
The Battery saw action in 1776 during the Revolutionary War. American troops fired on British ships unsuccessfully. After the British landed at Kip’s Bay, the Americans abandoned the fort. British troops then occupied Lower Manhattan. Evacuation Day in 1783 celebrated the departure of the last British troops. Fort George was demolished by 1788. Its debris expanded the Battery.
In the early 1800s, the West Battery was erected on an artificial island. It was renamed Castle Clinton after the War of 1812. The surrounding land was filled in. It then incorporated the island into Battery Park.
By the mid-19th century, calls grew for a large park in Manhattan. An expansion of Battery Park was proposed. Wealthy merchants opposed this fearing it would harm maritime traffic. Plans for a large park eventually led to Central Park.
Starting in 1855, landfill united Castle Garden’s island with Manhattan. The shoreline was around today’s State Street. In the late 19th century, elevated railroad lines reached Battery Park. Steam trains caused pollution. A larger four-track station opened in 1879.
By 1900, the els were considered a nuisance. Proposals were made to remove the elevated tracks. The IRT Lexington Avenue Line and South Ferry subway terminal were built under the park. The South Ferry station opened in 1905.
In the 20th century, Battery Park declined. Several new structures were proposed but faced opposition. In 1940, Battery Park closed for twelve years. This was due to the construction of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. The park reopened in 1952 but declined again.
The Battery Conservancy was founded in 1994. It funded the park’s restoration. In 2015, the park’s historical name, “the Battery,” was restored.
Today, Battery Barry is a testament to coastal defense. Once part of Fort Barry, batteries here defended the Golden Gate. Battery Samuel Rathbone got its name in 1904. It honored Lieutenant Samuel B. Rathbone who died in the War of 1812.
In 1922, Battery Rathbone was divided. The guns on the left flank were named for James F. McIndoe. He was an engineer officer who died in France during World War I. During World War II, the guns defended minefields. The battery was inactivated in 1945.
Consider how Battery Barry once echoed with the commands of soldiers. It stood ready to protect New York Harbor. Now, as part of the larger Battery, it stands as a reminder of our city’s layered history.