Downtown Walking Tour Site #7 - US Custom House - Part One

Outline of Fort Amsterdam

The Early Years

When the Dutch formed the New Netherlands colony, they founded New Amsterdam in 1624 to be the main HQ of the trading company. In 1625, Fort Amsterdam was built at the tip of Manhattan to protect the colony from France, England and Native Americans. The fort housed the headquarters of the Dutch West India Company which controlled the colony. The area around the fort was mainly residential. It was along the East River that the commercial and shipping concerns developed.

Romantic view of Fort George. 

During the existence of the fort, It changed hands 8 times. The main change though was August 27th 1664 when the British sailed into the harbor and demanded that the Dutch West India Company leave. Peter Stuyvesant tried to put up a fight; but, the business men of the colony had no interest in British guns destroying the colony and refused to support him. After this, the fort changed three times until the British to final control in 1691 until the Revolutionary War. 

Probably the most interesting takeover was by Jacob Leisler. When the British took over, King Charles II gave the colony to his brother James, then the Duke of York (Thus New York and New York City). When James II ascended the throne, he reorganized the northeast colonies and installed a Royal Governor and Council with no legislature. After James II was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution, rebellion broke out in the New England states. James Leisler seized control of the fort and governed New York City for two years until William III regained control. 

In 1775, The fort was captured by American colonists. The battle destroyed the northern side of the fort and it was torn down in 1790 to make room for an executive mansion. 

Government House

In July, 1789, the New York State Legislature called for a mansion to be built in the site of the fort for the President of the United States. However, the Capitol moved shortly after construction started to Philidelphia. After it was finished, New York State Governors used the mansion until the state capitol moved up to Albany in 1797. It then became a boarding house and then offices for the US Customs until 1814 when it was sold off to the city who divided the plot into 7 lots and houses were built there. 

One last cool bit of trivia. The fort's name would change 7 times during its' history. Amsterdam, James, Wilem Hendrick, back to James, William Henry, Anne, and George. 

Visit me for more info on the tour at Donnie Walks NYC.