Castle Williams

Castle Williams, a circular red sandstone fortification on Governors Island, was constructed between 1807 and 1811 under Colonel Jonathan Williams, a relative of Benjamin Franklin. It was part of a defense system to protect New York Harbor, alongside other forts like Castle Clinton and Fort Jay. The structure, notable for its multi-tiered gun casemates, was a prototype for 19th-century coastal fort design. It stands at 40 feet high and 210 feet in diameter.