Fort Gibson

Fort Gibson, 1795, New York County, Ellis Island. NYS acquired Oyster Island, by then known as Ellis Island, from the City of New York in 1794 and started to fortify it in 1795. Ownership was in question and legislation was passed for acquisition by condemnation in 1807. It was then sold it to the Federal Government in 1808. Shortly thereafter the War Department established a twenty-gun battery, magazine, and barracks. Although it did not see action in 1812 it was used as a garrison and POW camp. In 1861 Fort Gibson was dismantled and a naval magazine set up in its place. Used as an ammunition supply depot in the Civil War. In 1890 it was selected for a new Immigration Station and the munitions were removed and the Immigration Station was built. Temporary Coast Guard training station established there in 1939 through 1946 in the Immigrant Building part, due to the Second World War.

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