Fort Nassau (North River)

Henry Hudson explored what would be known as the Hudson River for the Dutch in 1609, including Castle Island which was at the center of Native American fur trading routes from the interior. Hendrick Christiaensen chose Castle Island to build Fort Nassau, in 1614 or 1615 as a dual warehouse and military defense structure and named the fort in honor of the stadtholder of the United Netherlands, who was of the House of Orange-Nassau. Nineteenth and early-twentieth century historians claimed that around 1540, French fur traders built a stone "castle" or fortified trading post on Castle Island in the location where Fort Nassau was later built. However, modern scholars have found no evidence to support this claim. Fort Nassau was the first Dutch settlement in North America. Jacob Eelkens became commander on Christiaensen's death in 1616. In 1624, the Dutch built Fort Orange about a mile to the north, at current Albany. Castle Island is now part of the Port of Albany–Rensselaer. ==Geography==

Fort Nassau was built on what is now called Westerlo Island and was formerly called Castle Island. The island was part of the town of Bethlehem until 1926 when it was annexed to the city of Albany. It has been part of the Port of Albany-Rensselaer since 1932. ==Structure==

Fort Nassau was a long by wide building enclosed by a square stockade surrounded by an wide moat. The fort was defended by two large cannon and eleven swivel guns. The fort was garrisoned by 10-12 men. ==See also==