Fort Wood (New York)

Fort Wood was a star-shaped fortification on Bedloe's Island (now Liberty Island). The 30-gun fort was constructed between 1807 and 1811. Since 1823, it had rarely been used, though during the Civil War, it had served as a recruiting station. The fortifications of the structure were in the shape of an eleven-point star. It was named in honor of Eleazer Derby Wood, who died in the War of 1812. By the time it was chosen for the statue, the base was disused and its walls were used as the distinctive base for the Statue of Liberty given by France for the 1886 centenary celebrations.