History of Mill Rock Park in New York City, New York explained in historic context.

Mill Rock Park is one of the lesser know attractions of New York City which tourists are unaware of. This news article will explain some history behind Mill Rock Park.

Mill Rock Park is a very much underrated city park which is often overshadowed by more well-known parks of/in New York City. You will find very few tourists no annoying cyclists. Now the beaches are never crowded as is the case with the rest of New York City. The best times to visit Mill Rock Park are day and at night. Circumnavigating this island will be easy as this island is less than 3 acres. The views of Manhattan and Randall’s Island are stellar.
 

Mill Rock Park was originally two smaller islands. William Hallet bought the two islands in 1664. He named both islands Great Mill Rock and Little Mill Rock. He apparently never occupied the islands. John Marsh is believed to have built a tidal mill on one of the islands owned by William Hallet sometime between 1701 and 1707. That is how Mill Rock Island and Mill Rock Park got their name. The mill functioned for the first half of the 18th century. (Ref: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/mill-rock-park/)

The year of 1812 brought forth a vast amount of significant changes. The US War Department built a blockhouse with two cannons on Great Mill Rock during the War of 1812 for protection against the British Navy. At the start of the War of 1812, the War Department built a blockhouse with two cannons on Great Mill Rock. This fortification was part of a chain of blockhouses that was intended to defend New York Harbor and protect the passage into Long Island Sound against the British Navy. This chain of blockhouses bolstered the defenses of New York Harbor and guarded the passage into Long Island Sound from the British Navy. The mill and blockhouses were destroyed by fire in 1821. Squatters took over the island for the next 40 years. One resident, John Clark, is said to have conducted a lively business selling food and drink to the crews and passengers of passing ships. (Ref: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/mill-rock-park/history)

US Army Corps of Engineers set up facilities on Mill Rock Island to experiment with explosives for the planned clearing of large obstructions in the East River towards the end of the 19th century. Until 1949, the US Army Corps of Engineers continued to use the now unified island of Mill Rock as a work and storage base for the surveying and removing of hazards in the East River and New York Harbor. With the closing of operations, the Superintendent of the base, John Smith, became the last person known to have lived on Mill Rock.

The federal government (US Government) sold the island to NYC Parks for $25,000 dollars in 1953. Commissioner Robert Moses was concerned that if it were sold at public auction, the island might be acquired by commercial interests and huge billboards would be erected there. He arranged for the demolition of the existing buildings and dilapidated docks, and a new dock was constructed. Large amounts of rock were placed along the shore to prevent erosion. Topsoil was brought in, and trees and shrubs were planted. Mill Rock Island has been used for educational and arts events.


Today Mill Rock Island serves as a scenic resource. Visible from bustling Manhattan, this natural space stands as a historic landmark and a source of tranquility.

Mill Rock Park is located at East River opposite of East 96 Street, New York City, New York, US 10128. Mill Rock Park is located on Mill Rock Island. Mill Rock Island lies about 1,000 feet off the eastern edge of 96th Street.