Blockhouse

Constructed in 1814, long before the Park even existed, the Blockhouse is the oldest building in Central Park.
The stone structure was one of several built to defend New York from the British during the War of 1812. After the British attacked Stonington, Connecticut, in August 1814, New Yorkers became fearful of a similar attack from the north. They quickly sprang into action and constructed defensive forts overlooking the lower lands of Harlem. The British never came to New York, and the forts never saw battle. Most were taken down; the Blockhouse was the only one to survive. After the war, military features like its sunken wooden roof and mobile cannon were removed.
Park designers Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted left the fort as a picturesque ruin covered in vines.
Things you can do here

Tour
Northern Forts Virtual Tour
History buffs will love this exploration of the Fort Landscape in the northern part of Central Park.
Tags: Staff Picks

Self-Guided Tours
Wandering in the North Woods
Discover the peaceful, wild woodland that’s little-known to most visitors.
Tags: Woodlands

Self-Guided Tours
Fort Landscapes Tour
Step into history and see how this area near the Harlem Meer played a key role during the American Revolution and War of 1812.
Tags: Woodlands
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Park History
The History of Central Park’s North End
Get to know this area’s rich past, which includes appearances from General George Washington and several military fortifications—one of which can still be visited today.
Tags: History

Park Information
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Here are 10 ways to combine a desire for a new you in 2020 with the joy of spending time in Central Park.