Governors Island

I went for a long walk today.  Down through Soho to the ferry for Governor's Island.  So named because the English, when they captured New York from the Dutch used the island for "the benefit and accommodation of His Majesty's Governors".  The Manahatas, New York City's native people, called the island Pagganck, "Nut Island", because of the abundance of Hickory, Oak and Chestnut trees.
Designed by Walker & Morris the ferry terminal is notable for it's Guastavino tile vaults under the porch roof.  Patented by Spanish Architect Rafael Guastavino in the U.S. in 1885, his tile vault system can be seen in many of N.Y.'s prominent Beaux Arts landmarks such as the City Hall subway station and the Manhattan Municipal Building.

When you get to the island there are lots of places to picnic.  In 1912 land fill provided by the construction of the Lexington Ave. Subway System added 103 acres to the island.  The island is now 172 acres.

That's Castle William, similar in structure to Castle Clinton at Battery Park.  The island has been used as a sheep farm, quarantine station, racetrack, game preserve, prison, and military base.  Castle William and Castle Clinton were built to protect the harbor with cannon fire during the War of 1812.  They were never used.  Castle William was built in 1807 and like Castle Clinton was designed by Lt. Col. Jonathan Williams.
Lt. Col Jonathan Williams was Benjamin Franklin's nephew, or Grand-nephew depending on your web source; he is also the person for whom Williamsburg was named, and the first Superintendent of West Point.  Born 5/20/1751, he died 5/16/1815 of gout.  Those were the days when the military gave their men rum portions.