Until yesterday, we’d never noticed the small plaque on the corner of State and Nevins in Boerum Hill. Here’s what it says:

On this block midway between Nevins and Bond Streets stood Fort Masonic. Erected September 1814 by the members of the Masonic Fraternity as a part of the defences of New York City during the War of 1812-1815. This tablet is erected under the auspices of the Temple Club of the Fourth Masonic District of New York, September 1914.

We’re pretty sure the building that replaced the fort is currently used as some kind of assisted living or homeless shelter but Google drew a blank on the original fort itself. Nothing in any of our history or architecture books. Has anyone every seen a picture of it? GMAP