Where Fort Masonic Once Stood
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…
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
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FREEMASONRY AND ITS KINDRED SCIENCES
by ALBERT C. MACKEY M. D.
FORT MASONIC: A redoubt of the fortifications on what was known as the Heights of Brooklyn, located between, what was later, Bond and Nevins Streets, Brooklyn, the south point of the quadrangle resting on State Street and extending north nearly to Schermerhorn Street. This Fort Masonic was built by members of the fourteen Lodges located in New York City, who, agreeable to a resolution of the Grand Lodge, of which Brother De Witt Clinton was Grand Master, adopted August 22, 1814, assembled at sunrise on the morning of Thursday, September 1.
Accompanied by the officers of the Grand Lodge, they proceeded to Brooklyn where they were joined by the members of Fortitude and Newton Union Lodges, marched to the Height and performed one day’s work on the fortifications.
The redoubt not completed, however, until September 17, when another day’s labor was performed.
the link:
http://www.glnb.ca/books/MacEncF.HTM
David is absolutely right! I remember when I was a kid someone jumping out of the window and being pinned on the gate. After that incident, they covered the pointy arrows on the gate.
http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/forts/fortsE_L/greeneFort.htm
George, what’s the citation?
i used to live across the street from this place. i think it’s a (state run?) residential psychiatric facility. definitely not a homeless shelter.
Fort Greene
(1) August 1776, Kings County, Brooklyn. A star shaped fort with a well and two magazines mounting six guns, 300 yards left (north) of Fort Box. Largest in Brooklyn, it held a Regiment. Named for General Nathanael Greene. Site above Bond Street between State and Schermerhorn. One of a line of entrenchment’s for the Battle of Long Island from Fort Box at marshes near Gowanus Bay to Fort Greene to Oblong Redoubt to Fort Putnam to Left Redoubt at Wallabout Bay. Each work was a complete entity surrounded with a wide ditch, sides lined with pointed stakes, and each had sally-ports. Most of the line also had abatises. After British capture may have been named Fort Sutherland November 1778, improvements made in 1782. Used again in the War of 1812 renamed Fort Masonic.
(2) 1812, Kings County, Brooklyn. War of 1812 fort on site of Fort Putnam 1776. Details requested. Now Fort Greene Park.
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