| What makes it historical? |
This circular “castle” has gone through a bunch of phases through the years! Originally built to protect New York Harbor from British invasion during the War of 1812, this fort never saw actual battle. At the end of the war, it took on the name Castle Clinton, after DeWitt Clinton, the mayor and eventual governor of New York!
It sat for six whole years until it was reimagined as Castle Garden, a restaurant, opera house, and theater! Swedish opera singer, Jenny Lind, had her first American show here in 1850, and this was also where a bunch of neat inventions made their debuts, like the Colt revolver, telegraph, and underwater electronic explosive!
This fun lasted until 1854 when it began its second transformation into the nation’s official immigrant processing center! Eight million people entered the USA via Castle Clinton until Ellis Island opened its doors in 1892! Then, it became the New York City Aquarium, bringing in an average of 5,000 visitors a day to see the fish and the beluga whale on display!
The National Park Service took over Castle Clinton after the aquarium moved to Coney Island, and 29 years later, it reopened as a national monument! |
