The Wandering Disciple

Like a beacon of liberty in New York Harbor, Lady Liberty has been a symbol of American freedom, welcoming immigrants to a new life in a new world.  The Statue of Liberty was the first sight immigrants saw as the reached America before coming ashore at the Ellis Island immigration center to find new freedoms in America.  (Photo: August 28, 2005)

Located at the tip of Manhattan in Battery City lies a circular fort that was once a crucial defense of the mainland from British troops during the War of 1812. Today the fort is attached to Manhattan however when it was constructed 1808 it was located on an island off the coast. But years of landfill now connects the fort to the mainland where it is now part of Battery Park. While Castle Clinton never saw action during wartime, it served as the nation's first immigration port prior to the opening of Ellis Island. (Photo: April 27, 2004)

Tall coquina wall topped with turrets and cannons were the last line of defense for the Spaniards as they attempted to hold off their city of St Augustine from invaders.  Constructed by Spain over the period of 1672-95, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.  (Photo: November 12, 2011)