Preserving Over 100 Historic Structures - Fort Totten

Fort Totten is a tangible reminder of New York City’s once-powerful harbor defense system. Located on 136 acres in Bayside, Queens, the installation was first known as the Fort at Willets Point—and the historic Willets farmhouse still stands on the property. It was later known as Camp Morgan before receiving its present name, Fort Totten, in 1898. The fort was named in honor of Major General Joseph G. Totten, a prominent military engineer who played an important role in the development of the nation’s coastal defenses.

Most of the buildings at Fort Totten were constructed between the 1830s and the 1960s, with the most significant period of expansion and modernization occurring between 1885 and 1914.

The Battery at Fort Totten was part of the coastal defenses built to protect New York and the strategically important entrance to the East River and Long Island Sound. Its guns were intended to prevent enemy warships from approaching New York from the Sound. Congress approved the closure of Fort Totten in 1995.

Today, approximately 49.5 acres of the former military installation have been designated as a historic district and are managed by the New York City Parks Department, providing public access to this remarkable piece of New York history. Several buildings continue to serve active public purposes, including facilities used by the New York City Fire Department, New York City Police Department, and the U.S. Army Reserve. Today, the surviving remains offer a glimpse into Fort Totten’s evolution from a 19th-century coastal fortification into one of New York City’s historic military sites.

This is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

There are several park maps posted around the property. There are also informational posts at some of the buildings.

Some of the old barracks that are abandoned and some in stages of demolition.

The entrance gate

The view of Little Neck Bay.

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Hidden History of Queens

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Bayside (Images of America)

By McKay, Alison, Bayside Historical Society

208 Totten Avenue was built in 1887, and is nicknamed ‘the castle’. The building is modeled after an 1841 stone library prototype at West Point. The building served as an Officers’ club and today is maintained by the Bayside Historical Society since the 1980’s.

This is the entrance to the chapel at 638 Total Avenue. This was the second chapel constructed between 1938 and 1939 on the site. The first wooden one was destroyed by fire.

The property has an almost country-like setting with front porches and so many trees.

207 Totten Avenue (constructed in 1905) is said to be the most ornate and imposing buildings on the property. The WPA (Works Progress Administration) rehabilitated the Colonial Revival style building it in 1937. It served as officers quarters until the late 1960’s.

These buildings were three-story barracks, built in 1892, to meet the housing needs of the fort. It would provide living space for 133 soldiers. The building was expanded a few times over the years. It stands abandoned.

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Building number 206 was the commanding officer’s quarters.

Constructed in 1905, this building was constructed to meet the recreational needs of the expanding population. The gym activities included weight lifting, punching bags, badminton and there was a tennis court located out back.

Built between 1926-1927, this was one of the many facilities constructed by the YMCA on army posts throughout the United States following World War I. It included a pool, library, and snack bar.

There are many buildings both abandoned and maintained on the property. Some of the architecture is pretty cool.

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Some of the homes even have water views.

The water view

A view of the Throgs Neck Bridge

This abandoned building was the hospital constructed in 1906 and the annex in 1914 for isolation patients.

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An old bleacher stand

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The Parks Department runs the pool here.

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502 Lee Road was built in 1900 as an ordinance shop for the assembly and repair of harbor mines or topedos and other artillery. It was located near the old tunnel down to the Water Battery. Now the Visitors Center it contains some information and old photographs of the area.

The tunnel entracne that leads to the Battery

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The arched cannon rooms of the Battery

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The original Willets’ farmhouse sitting on part of the property abandoned. The house was built by Charles A Willets in 1829.

Looking back at the waterfront park

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What you should know:

• There is no admission fee.

• There are walking trails.

• Public restrooms are available.

• Picnicking is allowed.

• There is a public pool on the property.

• Admission and parking is free.

• If you want to visit the battery, it is usually only open limited hours on the weekend. Enter through the Visitor Center area.

Location: Totten Avenue and 15th Road, Fort Totten, NY 11359

For more information: Fort Totten