Governors Island Explorer's Guide: Adventure & History in New York Harbor

by Kevin C. Fitzpatrick

Overview

Governors Island is a 172-acre park just 800 yards from Manhattan. It was a military base for 200 years and only opened to the public in 2004. Today it draws 500,000 visitors a season. This insightful guidebook is for any visitor to the island: a bicyclist who just wants to enjoy five miles of car-free biking, the Civil War enthusiast that wants to visit Castle Williams and see where 1,000 Confederate soldiers were imprisoned, or families on a picnic. The author explores the history of the island, its place in New York and American government, and its long and distinguished military past. More than 80 locations are featured that visitors can explore—from forts to officers housing and much more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493019663
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	02/15/2016
Series:	Historical Tours
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Kevin C. Fitzpatrick is an independent historian who writes and gives lectures on New York City history. He is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his hitch he entered journalism and worked in newspapers, magazines, advertising agencies, and television in New York. Fitzpatrick is a licensed New York City Sightseeing Guide and has been leading walking tours for almost 15 years. He leads tours of Manhattan, Governors Island, and Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn. He is also the author of The Algonquin Round Table New York: A Historical Guide (Lyons Press) and Under the Table: A Dorothy Parker Cocktail Guide (Lyons Press).

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Brief History of Governors Island 1

The Tours

Tour 1 Castle Williams and Army Garrison Life 29

Tour 2 Fort Jay and the New York Arsenal 55

Tour 3 Nolan Park and Officer Homes 81

Tour 4 The South Island and The Hills 103

Tour 5 Bicycle Tour Loop 111

Getting There and Visitor Info 121

More Places to See 130

Bibliography and Suggested Reading 137

Index 138

Acknowledgments 140

About the Author 140