Our Tribute to Governors Island

Semper Paratus

Welcome to Governors Island

Governors Island with the New York Skyline in the Background. To view a larger version, just click on the picture.

Until July 92, An Island I'd never heard of, was going to be home for the next four years. An Island, I said, that sits in the middle of the Hudson River. The only way on and off is by A Coast Guard Ferry. Well since we had to go to New York with three small children, then this was the place to be.

I remember the first time we drove through New York City. What a Nightmare. Traffic, Traffic, and More Traffic. Then all of a sudden as you get to the end of Manahattan, you see the sign, "Governors Island Ferry" there at last. The ride on the ferry is beautiful. I remember starring in a daze at the Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island. I could only imagine what the Imagrants thought and felt when they first saw this Beautiful site.

A Brief History

The story of Governors Island started when America was a strange new world. The first European to see the island was probably Giovanni De Verrazano, who reached the harbor in 1524. Its Indian name, "Pagganck," and the Dutch name "Nooten Eylandt" or "Nutten Island," referred to the groves of New Netherlands, bought the island from the Manahatas Indians in June 1637 for what is believed to have been two as heads and a string of beads and a few nails. This purchase was annulled in 1652.

Between 1664 and 1674 the English and the Dutch exchanged the island through war and treaty. The English finally took possession of the island under the terms of the Treaty of Westminster in 1674.

From 1691 to 1702, the English colonial governors urged fortification of New York Harbor. In spite of their efforts, through a series of unique taxes including a levy of five shillings and six pence on everyone who wore a periwig only 1,500 pounds was raised for defenses of the Narrows. Many sources indicate that Lord Cornbury appropriated these funds to construct a mansion on Governors Island.

The house was placed on the high ground on the northeast section of the island and was used by Lord Cornbury and following governors as a gubernatorial mansion.

Troops were stationed on the Island for the first time in 1755. The "Royal Americans" were under the command of Sir William Pepperell, an American-born Major General. The first infantry school in America and a hospital were established on the island at this time.

The years before the Revolution were quiet on the Island, and the defenses were neglected. Suddenly, "rebel" "New York" was threatened by the British. General Israel Putnam and 1,000 troops arrived to aid Colon Prescott's famous Bunker Hill Regiment, already stationed on the island. During the night of April 9, 1176, the troops labored to throw defenses against the British fleet. By August the island defenses had been built and were considered one of the strongest American Posts.

On September 15, 1776, the British occupied New York, including the island. The war for Independence moved up the Hudson River. Governors Island, although garrisoned and fortified, remained inactive. In 1783, with peace and reoccupation by the Americans, Governors Island changed hands for the last time. Although Gov. Clinton retook ownership of the land from Columbia College and began work on Fort Jay in 1794, New York State didnot cede the island to the United States until Feb. 15, 1800. With the treat of War with France, it was again garrisoned by the U.S. Army and remained under their control for the next 172 years.

On June 30, 1966, at a joint Ceremony, the Army left the Island to the solemn music of Retreat; a few minutes later Rear Admiral I.J. Stephens accepted the Island for the Coast Guard as a saluting battery boomed out a salute to the admiral's flag as it was broken out over Fort Jay.

On September 7, 1996, My husband HS1 Johnson and HSCM Robert Barrette, officially Closed and turned in the keys to the United States Coast Guard, "The Henry "Hank" Memorial Clinic. As they boarded the Governors Island Ferry for the last time, they looked back towards the Island and the History. There were many Active Duty Personal, from Support Center, left to help in the Closure of the Island.

At this time there are still a few Active Duty Coast Guard, on the Island doing the daily Up keep of the grounds and security. As to the Future of the Island Nobody seems to know, however, I have heard many rumors. Governors Island was more than just a well kept secret. I can only hope that the next Island's occupants will respect its historical significance.

Points of Interest

The Admiral's House

This house was built in 1840, and served as the commanding general's quarters until the island was turned over to the Coast Guard. The house has been home to many famous Army generals, including Major Generals John M. Schofield and Leonard Wood.

The Governor's House

This is the oldest structure on the Island, and was the home of the Commanding Officer of Support Center New York. It was built in 1708 as the residence for the British governor of the New York colony. The original structure was substantially altered in 1749 and has been modified many times since.

Castle Williams

Was completed in 1811, is named in honor of Colonel Jonathan Williams, who at the time was the superintendent of West Point and chief engineer of the U.S. Army. Twenty-seven French 35-pounder cannons lined the lower tier, and thirty-nine 20-pounders lined the second tier. It was also used as a fort, then as a prison by the U.S. Army from the Civil War until 1966.

I remember on Halloween when this became the Haunted Castle. Many volunteers would set up and display Hauntings, as they scarred those who dared to ENTER.

Fort Jay

Was completed in 1798 and named after Secretary of Foreign Affairs John Jay. The fort was rebuilt and renamed Fort Columbus in 1803. The change in name is believed to have been caused by the unpopularity of the treaty with England, which Jay negotiated in 1795. The original name, Fort Jay, was restored in 1904. The fort is now used a family housing unit.

P.S. 26 Governors Island's Own School.

In 1934, when GI was still an army post, a small school was built which turned into the Child Development Day Care Center. That school, the first P.S. 26 went up to the eight grade and was affiliated with the P.S. 3 in Manhattan. As the number of children on the Island increased, the little school grew and wings were added to the building in 1959-60.

The old school consisted of classrooms, a library, and an auditorium that doubled as a gym. There was no lunchroom because the children went home for lunch. When the Coast Guard first arrived on Governors Island in 1966, the old building was large enough to accommodate all the students. With increased population, space at the school was at a premium, so the apartments in what we called Building 315 were converted for classroom use. It was odd yet homey: blackboards attached to living room walls in 6 apartments; kitchens became the storage areas; and every class had their own bathroom.

The present building was built in 1973 and dedicated in 1977 to Fredick C. Billard, Commandant of the Coast Guard from 1924 to 1932.


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