Island Prison Near Wall Street

For all you who clicked on this post, thinking that we finally have an exclusive prison for white-collar crimes on Wall Street, I’m sorry, that didn’t happen (yet).

But there is an ex-military prison just one mile away from Wall Street on Governor’s Island in Castle William (Surprise?).

It was built in 1807 of red sandstone on Governor’s Island as part of the fortification to protect New York.

It became a military prison in 1903 and was renovated extensively about 60 years ago, which gave its interior the ‘industrial look’.

It was then later used as a ‘community centre’ in the 60’s for military personnel and their families staying on Governor’s Island.

I was snapping away when I accidently blended myself into a walking tour by a Park Ranger, which by the way, is really the best way to start if you want to soak in the rich history of the island.

“Castle William was one of the four Island Prisons in the States, together with The Rock on Alcatrez Island (1.5 miles of San Francisco Bay), Rikers Island (another NYC prison, still active, in the East River between Queens and Bronx) and Johnson’s Island (off Lake Erie in Ohio)”, the Ranger trying his best to speak as loud as he could to the big crowd.

Interesting fact.

This is the Park Ranger, whom I thought looked like a soldier lost in time, trying to hitch a ride.

(You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

Copyright 2009 by Farting Camel.

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