Part of Early N.Y. Wall Displayed in Battery Park (Castle, in city park, is federal property)

NY Times ^ | June 7, 2006 | PATRICK McGEEHAN

[neverdem]

For the first time since a pre-Revolutionary stone wall was discovered in Lower Manhattan last fall, part of it went on display to the public today in Battery Park.

An exhibition about the discovery, titled "Walls Within Walls," was unveiled Tuesday evening before a dinner for the Battery Conservancy, which raises money to maintain and improve the 23-acre park. The display, at the Castle Clinton monument, includes just a piece of the first of three large sections of wall that were found during excavation for a new South Ferry subway station.

Some archaeologists who have studied parts of the wall estimated that it was constructed in the early 18th century as a seawall around the landfill that was used to extend Manhattan's southern shoreline. But others believe it may have been part of the military fortification that gave the park its name and could date to the late 17th century.

Either way, it was older than any man-made structure still standing in Manhattan when it was first found in November. The discovery of one of the oldest parts of New York City was "an incredible moment for not just downtown but for the city and the nation," said William Rudin, chairman of the Battery Conservancy.

Archaeologists and preservationists said the wall was historically significant and should not be destroyed. But saving it posed problems for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which had a schedule to keep and a budget to meet.

"When we ran into the wall, my people said, 'Well, there goes the project,' " said Mysore Nagaraja, president of the MTA Capital Construction Company. But now, he added, "We're really proud to be part of this."

Each of the sections stood in the way of construction crews who were digging a trench deep under the park for the subway...

[neverdem]

Should Castle Clinton be renamed Castle Bubba?

Video: Early New York Wall after suffering thru a UPS commercial

[rhombus]

Each of the sections stood in the way of construction crews who were digging a trench deep under the park for the subway station and a new alignment of tracks for the No. 1 line, which will run through the station. Despite the delays and the cost involved, officials of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority agreed to have the crews remove three sections of the wall stone by stone after archaeologists catalogued them.

Nope it's on federal property and should be kept "pristine". Bwahahahaha at least until the Alaskans can drill for oil.

[neverdem]

ping

[conservative in nyc]

DeWitt Clinton would be rolling over in his grave you renamed the castle for Bubba. He was instrumental in building the Erie Canal, and wrestling the country's economic heart away from Philadelphia. He wasn't some two bit carpetbagger from Arkansas.

[Pharmboy]

Thanks for the ping and post, neverdem.

Flag of New York City

The Short List--for subjects of more limited appeal and/or limited to Northeast region (Freepmail me to get ON or OFF the Short List).

[neverdem]

DeWitt Clinton would be rolling over in his grave you renamed the castle for Bubba.

Yeah, but, but...who cares about history anymore?

[neverdem]

That was the NY State Flag. New York, New York, a place so nice, they named it twice. Here's the City's Flag

It's from when it was New Amsterdam.

[Pharmboy]

That's what I meant...how come you didn't know what I meant to say? ;-)

[blam]

"DeWitt Clinton would be rolling over in his grave you renamed the castle for Bubba. He was instrumental in building the Erie Canal, and wrestling the country's economic heart away from Philadelphia."

Skeptics called it Clinton's Ditch.

BTW, it turned out to be an enormous money-maker.

[ntnychik]

Where did the immigrants land before Ellis Island? Was it Castle Clinton?

[Pharmboy]

Yes--exactly right.

[Pharmboy]

If it wasn't it's awfully close. The lights of the Staten Island Ferry place your dig where it should be. Thanks.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

The city's Department of Parks and Recreation plans to reassemble one section of it above ground in the park after the subway work is completed. The transportation authority plans to install another section in a wall of the new station, which is scheduled to open by early 2008.

I'm glad to see this bit of history preserved.