Battery Weed

Battery Weed is a multi-level stone fortification on Staten Island's waterfront equipped with numerous cannon positions and supporting gun placements. The structure features distinct tiers that align defensive positions to cover approaches from the water.

The fortification was built in 1861 as the nation prepared for conflict and sought to protect New York Harbor from attack. It represented military thinking at that moment about how to defend American harbors effectively.

The site reflects how Americans approached coastal defense and what military thinking guided their choices. Walking through, you can see how each level and gun placement worked together as part of a larger protective system.

The site offers guided tours to see the interior spaces, or you can walk the exterior grounds on your own. Wear sturdy shoes since you'll be walking on stone and exposed areas can be quite windy.

A lighthouse tower was added to the fortification in 1903 to aid ships navigating the harbor waters. When bridge construction nearby altered navigation patterns decades later, the light eventually became unnecessary and fell out of use.

Location: Staten Island

Inception: 1861

Architects: Robert E. Lee, Joseph Gilbert Totten

Part of: Fort Wadsworth

GPS coordinates: 40.60528,-74.05472

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:48