The History Of Liberty Island (The Timeline)
The History Of Liberty Island,goes hand in hand with the Statue of Liberty to most of us,and we all know the island where it stands,must have a history as well.
We've all heard of Liberty Island,we associate it with New York,and associate it with the home of the Statue of Liberty representing freedom in this land.
Snow Roof Rakes
950 A.D.
The detailed history of the island dates back as far as 950 A.D. when the Native American people would travel out to the Island to collect Oysters.The Island itself was named after being bountiful in Oyster Beds,which was a main source of food to the various tribes in the area.This went on for 100's of years.
Unfortunately,the oyster beds are long gone,and only remembered in the history books.Development took it's course on the Island through several centuries,and by the the turn of the 19th put an end to them.
However,we're not here to talk about the Oyster Beds that once were.We're here to discuss the detailed history of Liberty Island.To the almost 15 acres of land,to the name,and to those who once set foot here.Lots of history here,that's kinda fun to know if you're a history buff like me.
If all your curiosity is about the Island,when it was officially named Liberty Island.That was in 1956,when an act of Congress officially made it so.Even though it's been called Liberty Island since the turn of the 18th century,Congress felt it was time it was made official.
The beginning
It's really hard to start at a beginning that's in most of our minds as an understanding,regarding this magnificent island.So what we'll do here is just touch briefly from the ealiest history we know of.In other words,words put to pen by others,on the interesting history of Liberty Island through there eyes.Even though some of the authors could have offered a bit more expression,and opinion on their personal thoughts.Just as we do writing history.
We all know of Liberty Island,because that's where the Statue of Liberty is.France gave us this wonderful gift of friendship.A symbol known through out the world as of freedom & democracy.
The dedication of The Statue of Liberty took place Oct.28th - 1886
Then in 1924 was designated as a National Monument.
Now prior to all this,more history took place that we'd like to share with you.
It should be no suprise to you,that the first people to set foot on the island were Native Americans.This was once territory of the Algonquian Tribes,and they visited the island for the mass oysters to collect,which was one of their main food staples.
The island at one time had the name Oyster Islands,because it was named after a chain of 3 islands,which all were used as gathering oysters at one time.Hard to imagine now when one steps foot on the island.
1500's
Then some time in the early - mid 1500's the Europeans began their quest for riches,new land,adventure,and along with them explorers looking for water passages to the Pacific Ocean.I think some of you might remember the name "Henry Hudson" back in highscool,that's if they still teach some of this history anymore.
1609
He was hired by the Dutch to find the passage.Of course he never found it,because it never existed,but he did establish a colony when he arrived in New York Harbor in 1609,right along side the Hudson River which was later on named after him.
The Native Americans and Europeans got along well,and in this early part of history the Europeans stuck to their treaties with the Native American Tribes in the area.Good trading took place,and the tribes help assist these new arrivals to make their lives tolerable in the new world.
1614
One such treaty was a trading agreement in 1614 between the tribes in what is now the greater New York area,and the Dutch settlers.
The treaty gave the Dutch three years of exclusive rights to collect furs and hunt for pelts on the their lands.
Metal goods were given in return,which helped make the Native Americans lives easier as well.Such as metal cooking pots,axes,knives,and many other various tools made of metal,and metal itself.The Native Americans prized arrowheads,and spear heads made in iron,and some copper.
In the very short years that followed,encroachment on their land was rampid,wars,and disease was taking a great toll on the Native Americans in the area.So not long after that,they left the area,and some tribes journeyed to the North,and some relocated Westwards.
1664
Things changed for the Dutch as well,when the English took possession of New Netherlands in 1664,and the English & the Dutch were at peace at the time.Then renamed it New York.
The island itself was given to Captain Robert Needham by Richard Nicholls,who was the colonial Governor of New York.Then he turned around and sold it back to one of the Dutch Colonists by the name Isaac Bedloe.Talk about a strange turn of events back in the day,but one has to remember this was a valuable swath of territory at the time.
Then just a couple of years later a new English Colonial Governor was in place,and in one of his conditions to the Dutch owner,was he had to allow those accused of civil crimes to live their safely.In others words have the island he owns house criminals,and also rename the island "Love Island".Not sure on the story behind why that name,but this governors last name was "Lovelace".
The owner of now "Love Island"..which prior to that was part of the "Oyster Islands Chain" was now Love Island.
1673
Bedloe died in 1673,and the Dutch colonists temporarily overthrew Governor Lovelace,but within a short time the English regained control of New York once again,but did change the name to the original owners last name "Bedloe's Island".
1732
In 1732 the island was sold once again to merchants Adolph Philipse & Henry Lane.
However frustration as with all the previous owners still carried over to the new owners.The city decided to take the island over to screen ships entering the harbor for possible cases of small pox,and would also quarintine those who were diagnosed with it there.
1746
Then in 1746,Archibald Kennedy purchased the island,and spent considerable time & money to fix it up,and make an attempt at renting it out,but as mentioned above,the curse of owning this island seemed to follow each owner like a curse.All they could get out of this small chucnk of land was the title itself.Could it be perhaps he tried changing the name once again to "Kennedy Island"?
1755
In 1755,the City of New York once again took control of the island for use as a quarantine station for small pox,and thus in return he ended up selling the island to the city in 1758.
Then the island for some time was used for those with small pox & other infectious diseases.A hospital was built,and that was the island's purpose for some time.
Then during the American Revolution,the island was used by the British,as we shall now call them,as a refuge to colonists that were loyal subjects of the King,to offer them protection from the other colonists at arms.
The island was attacked on more than one occasion during the Revolution,and all the original structures were burned to the ground.
After the war,the island was granted to the French to use,and they used it as a hospital,as before to a great degree to contain infectious disease,but fate for the island always comes back to haunt the owners it seems.
It once again was taken back by the city of New York,and soon afterwards it's real value as a defense post came into light.
1807
Several forts were built throughout New York Harbor in 1807 to protect New York City from invasion.
An eleven point star-shaped fort initially known as the "Works on Bedloe's Island," was was built,and really quite the sight at the time.
1814
In 1814,it was renamed Fort Wood dedicated to the memory of Eleazer D. Wood,who was an army hero killed in battle at Fort Erie during the war of 1812.
Then between 1851 and 1876 Fort Hood Fort Wood served as an ordinance depot.In it's first year of opening,there were about 600 men stationed there,and was rumored to be very over crowded.I can easily see that,being the island is just under 15 acres.
1861
In 1861 operations picked up on the island once again during the Civil War,which was used more of a supply depot at the time.
When the Civil War ended in 1865,a French political intellectual,who was also a anti-slavery activist proposed that a statue representing liberty be built for the United States on the island.This man's name was Edouard de Laboulaye.
This monument would be dedicated in honor to the United States centennial of independence,and the friendship with France.
The French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi was all to eager to support the idea,and supported Laboulaye in this endevor,and in 1870,he began designing the statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World."
Bartholdi designed the Statue in France,and in this time he also took a trip to the United States in 1871,to pick out the location for this historic gift.Bartholdi selected Bedloe's Island as the site for the Statue,it's location couldn't be more perfect for him,because he considered it's location on the island as the "gateway to America."
Then in 1876 the work began,and French artisans and craftsmen began constructing the Statue in France under Bartholdi's supervision.
Construction of the statue took about 6 years,and was pre-assembled in Paris before it's arrival here,and what's strange is some of the parts of this statue,such as the arm holding the torch were shown here as well,prior to being fully assembled in Paris in 1882.So some parts of this statue crossed the Atlantic 3 times.
1885
Then on June 17, 1885,the Statue arrived in New York Harbor.
Once the pedestal was completed for the statue,and with great speed the workers assembled this gigantic statue that represented freedom.
1886
October 28th, 1886,The statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World".Celebration took place,parades,music,and festivity filled the air.Flags being waved,and gunshots rang in the air.Every bell in the harbor rang with joy.
The statue soon became under the administration of the U.S. Lighthouse Board,by order of the current president Grover Cleveland,but the statue wasn't created to be a lighthouse,and not a very worthy lighthouse,if one could have ever considered it one to begin with.However,the torch part of the statue was electrified,but made a horrible light house.
Then Liberty Island changes hands again in 1901,when ownership is taken over by the Department of War.It's unknown to me what exactly,if anything occured there during the years the War Department had reign of the island.
1937
In 1937 some good news came for the island.Ownership changed hands once again for Liberty Island,ending up in the hands of the National Park Service.
A man by the name Norman T. Newton,who was a landscape architect had big plans for the island.One objective was to clean it up,remove the run down building around the statue,lay sidewalks,and lay grass.To really add the beauty to it's surroundings.
In 1937 under the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration,gave the green flag to the National Park Service to start on Norman Newton's design.Good progress was made on the grounds of the island,but also the statue itself being cleaned up,and refurbished.
Work on the island abrubtly ended with the start of WWII.When all resources,and funds were directed at the war effort.
Restoration of the island took front seat again after the war,and the rash of public complaints in 1948,sped up the pace to get the island cleaned up once again.Congress appropriated $110,000 in renewed funding to make this possible,and once again the dream of Norman Newton was taking place.
1957
Bedloe's Island was then renamed Liberty Island in 1956 through a joint resolution in Congress,and signed by the president.Then in the following year of 1957,the work was on the island was finish.
The years that followed,the statue was showing the wear from weather & time.A group of French and American architects,engineers,and conservators determined that serious work was needed,if the statue wanted to still be around after the turn of the century.
1984
So in 1984,construction began on the interior,working outwards with scaffolding around its exterior.
Some parts of the statue had to be completely replaced,but replaced with exact duplicates,such as parts of the torch.
In 1986 resoration was finished,and the Statue's centennial was celebrated on July 4th with one heck of a fireworks show.
Liberty Island,with nearby Ellis Island are part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
The only access to the island is the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Ferry system.The ferries depart from Battery Park in New York and Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
For more information on visiting,just check out the National Park Service's Website.
http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm
Happy to share the history of Liberty Island with so many,and glad more New Yorkers are understanding the history in these parts as well.
We've all heard of Liberty Island,we associate it with New York,and associate it with the home of the Statue of Liberty representing freedom in this land.
Snow Roof Rakes
950 A.D.
The detailed history of the island dates back as far as 950 A.D. when the Native American people would travel out to the Island to collect Oysters.The Island itself was named after being bountiful in Oyster Beds,which was a main source of food to the various tribes in the area.This went on for 100's of years.
Unfortunately,the oyster beds are long gone,and only remembered in the history books.Development took it's course on the Island through several centuries,and by the the turn of the 19th put an end to them.
However,we're not here to talk about the Oyster Beds that once were.We're here to discuss the detailed history of Liberty Island.To the almost 15 acres of land,to the name,and to those who once set foot here.Lots of history here,that's kinda fun to know if you're a history buff like me.
If all your curiosity is about the Island,when it was officially named Liberty Island.That was in 1956,when an act of Congress officially made it so.Even though it's been called Liberty Island since the turn of the 18th century,Congress felt it was time it was made official.
The beginning
It's really hard to start at a beginning that's in most of our minds as an understanding,regarding this magnificent island.So what we'll do here is just touch briefly from the ealiest history we know of.In other words,words put to pen by others,on the interesting history of Liberty Island through there eyes.Even though some of the authors could have offered a bit more expression,and opinion on their personal thoughts.Just as we do writing history.
We all know of Liberty Island,because that's where the Statue of Liberty is.France gave us this wonderful gift of friendship.A symbol known through out the world as of freedom & democracy.
The dedication of The Statue of Liberty took place Oct.28th - 1886
Then in 1924 was designated as a National Monument.
Now prior to all this,more history took place that we'd like to share with you.
It should be no suprise to you,that the first people to set foot on the island were Native Americans.This was once territory of the Algonquian Tribes,and they visited the island for the mass oysters to collect,which was one of their main food staples.
The island at one time had the name Oyster Islands,because it was named after a chain of 3 islands,which all were used as gathering oysters at one time.Hard to imagine now when one steps foot on the island.
1500's
Then some time in the early - mid 1500's the Europeans began their quest for riches,new land,adventure,and along with them explorers looking for water passages to the Pacific Ocean.I think some of you might remember the name "Henry Hudson" back in highscool,that's if they still teach some of this history anymore.
1609
He was hired by the Dutch to find the passage.Of course he never found it,because it never existed,but he did establish a colony when he arrived in New York Harbor in 1609,right along side the Hudson River which was later on named after him.
The Native Americans and Europeans got along well,and in this early part of history the Europeans stuck to their treaties with the Native American Tribes in the area.Good trading took place,and the tribes help assist these new arrivals to make their lives tolerable in the new world.
1614
One such treaty was a trading agreement in 1614 between the tribes in what is now the greater New York area,and the Dutch settlers.
The treaty gave the Dutch three years of exclusive rights to collect furs and hunt for pelts on the their lands.
Metal goods were given in return,which helped make the Native Americans lives easier as well.Such as metal cooking pots,axes,knives,and many other various tools made of metal,and metal itself.The Native Americans prized arrowheads,and spear heads made in iron,and some copper.
In the very short years that followed,encroachment on their land was rampid,wars,and disease was taking a great toll on the Native Americans in the area.So not long after that,they left the area,and some tribes journeyed to the North,and some relocated Westwards.
1664
Things changed for the Dutch as well,when the English took possession of New Netherlands in 1664,and the English & the Dutch were at peace at the time.Then renamed it New York.
The island itself was given to Captain Robert Needham by Richard Nicholls,who was the colonial Governor of New York.Then he turned around and sold it back to one of the Dutch Colonists by the name Isaac Bedloe.Talk about a strange turn of events back in the day,but one has to remember this was a valuable swath of territory at the time.
Then just a couple of years later a new English Colonial Governor was in place,and in one of his conditions to the Dutch owner,was he had to allow those accused of civil crimes to live their safely.In others words have the island he owns house criminals,and also rename the island "Love Island".Not sure on the story behind why that name,but this governors last name was "Lovelace".
The owner of now "Love Island"..which prior to that was part of the "Oyster Islands Chain" was now Love Island.
1673
Bedloe died in 1673,and the Dutch colonists temporarily overthrew Governor Lovelace,but within a short time the English regained control of New York once again,but did change the name to the original owners last name "Bedloe's Island".
1732
In 1732 the island was sold once again to merchants Adolph Philipse & Henry Lane.
However frustration as with all the previous owners still carried over to the new owners.The city decided to take the island over to screen ships entering the harbor for possible cases of small pox,and would also quarintine those who were diagnosed with it there.
1746
Then in 1746,Archibald Kennedy purchased the island,and spent considerable time & money to fix it up,and make an attempt at renting it out,but as mentioned above,the curse of owning this island seemed to follow each owner like a curse.All they could get out of this small chucnk of land was the title itself.Could it be perhaps he tried changing the name once again to "Kennedy Island"?
1755
In 1755,the City of New York once again took control of the island for use as a quarantine station for small pox,and thus in return he ended up selling the island to the city in 1758.
Then the island for some time was used for those with small pox & other infectious diseases.A hospital was built,and that was the island's purpose for some time.
Then during the American Revolution,the island was used by the British,as we shall now call them,as a refuge to colonists that were loyal subjects of the King,to offer them protection from the other colonists at arms.
The island was attacked on more than one occasion during the Revolution,and all the original structures were burned to the ground.
After the war,the island was granted to the French to use,and they used it as a hospital,as before to a great degree to contain infectious disease,but fate for the island always comes back to haunt the owners it seems.
It once again was taken back by the city of New York,and soon afterwards it's real value as a defense post came into light.
1807
Several forts were built throughout New York Harbor in 1807 to protect New York City from invasion.
An eleven point star-shaped fort initially known as the "Works on Bedloe's Island," was was built,and really quite the sight at the time.
1814
In 1814,it was renamed Fort Wood dedicated to the memory of Eleazer D. Wood,who was an army hero killed in battle at Fort Erie during the war of 1812.
Then between 1851 and 1876 Fort Hood Fort Wood served as an ordinance depot.In it's first year of opening,there were about 600 men stationed there,and was rumored to be very over crowded.I can easily see that,being the island is just under 15 acres.
1861
In 1861 operations picked up on the island once again during the Civil War,which was used more of a supply depot at the time.
When the Civil War ended in 1865,a French political intellectual,who was also a anti-slavery activist proposed that a statue representing liberty be built for the United States on the island.This man's name was Edouard de Laboulaye.
This monument would be dedicated in honor to the United States centennial of independence,and the friendship with France.
The French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi was all to eager to support the idea,and supported Laboulaye in this endevor,and in 1870,he began designing the statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World."
Bartholdi designed the Statue in France,and in this time he also took a trip to the United States in 1871,to pick out the location for this historic gift.Bartholdi selected Bedloe's Island as the site for the Statue,it's location couldn't be more perfect for him,because he considered it's location on the island as the "gateway to America."
Then in 1876 the work began,and French artisans and craftsmen began constructing the Statue in France under Bartholdi's supervision.
Construction of the statue took about 6 years,and was pre-assembled in Paris before it's arrival here,and what's strange is some of the parts of this statue,such as the arm holding the torch were shown here as well,prior to being fully assembled in Paris in 1882.So some parts of this statue crossed the Atlantic 3 times.
1885
Then on June 17, 1885,the Statue arrived in New York Harbor.
Once the pedestal was completed for the statue,and with great speed the workers assembled this gigantic statue that represented freedom.
1886
October 28th, 1886,The statue of "Liberty Enlightening the World".Celebration took place,parades,music,and festivity filled the air.Flags being waved,and gunshots rang in the air.Every bell in the harbor rang with joy.
The statue soon became under the administration of the U.S. Lighthouse Board,by order of the current president Grover Cleveland,but the statue wasn't created to be a lighthouse,and not a very worthy lighthouse,if one could have ever considered it one to begin with.However,the torch part of the statue was electrified,but made a horrible light house.
Then Liberty Island changes hands again in 1901,when ownership is taken over by the Department of War.It's unknown to me what exactly,if anything occured there during the years the War Department had reign of the island.
1937
In 1937 some good news came for the island.Ownership changed hands once again for Liberty Island,ending up in the hands of the National Park Service.
A man by the name Norman T. Newton,who was a landscape architect had big plans for the island.One objective was to clean it up,remove the run down building around the statue,lay sidewalks,and lay grass.To really add the beauty to it's surroundings.
In 1937 under the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration,gave the green flag to the National Park Service to start on Norman Newton's design.Good progress was made on the grounds of the island,but also the statue itself being cleaned up,and refurbished.
Work on the island abrubtly ended with the start of WWII.When all resources,and funds were directed at the war effort.
Restoration of the island took front seat again after the war,and the rash of public complaints in 1948,sped up the pace to get the island cleaned up once again.Congress appropriated $110,000 in renewed funding to make this possible,and once again the dream of Norman Newton was taking place.
1957
Bedloe's Island was then renamed Liberty Island in 1956 through a joint resolution in Congress,and signed by the president.Then in the following year of 1957,the work was on the island was finish.
The years that followed,the statue was showing the wear from weather & time.A group of French and American architects,engineers,and conservators determined that serious work was needed,if the statue wanted to still be around after the turn of the century.
1984
So in 1984,construction began on the interior,working outwards with scaffolding around its exterior.
Some parts of the statue had to be completely replaced,but replaced with exact duplicates,such as parts of the torch.
In 1986 resoration was finished,and the Statue's centennial was celebrated on July 4th with one heck of a fireworks show.
Liberty Island,with nearby Ellis Island are part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
The only access to the island is the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Ferry system.The ferries depart from Battery Park in New York and Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
For more information on visiting,just check out the National Park Service's Website.
http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm
Happy to share the history of Liberty Island with so many,and glad more New Yorkers are understanding the history in these parts as well.