Castle Clinton

In the first years of the 19th century, a battery of forts was constructed off Manhattan island's southern shore as a defense against naval attack, though, despite the outbreak of the War of 1812, the structure now named Castle Clinton was never engaged in combat. The site briefly served as a restaurant and opera house before serving as an immigration processing center from 1855 until the opening of Ellis Island in 1892.

On-site programs: National Parks Service Rangers lead tours and programs on the history of the site, and costumed interpreters focus on the War of 1812.

General information: Administrative address: 26 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005; Phone: (212) 344-7220; Web: www.nps.gov/cacl.

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