<Tr> <Th> Added to NRHP </Th> <Td> 1966 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Designated NHL </Th> <Td> 19 December 1960 </Td> </Tr> <P> The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known as West Point, Army, Army West Point, The Academy or simply The Point, is a four - year coeducational federal service academy located in West Point, New York, in Orange County . It was originally established as a fort that sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River with a scenic view, 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City . It is one of the four U.S. military service academies, and one of the five U.S. service academies . </P> <P> The Academy traces its roots to 1801, when President Thomas Jefferson directed, shortly after his inauguration, that plans be set in motion to establish the United States Military Academy at West Point . The entire central campus is a national landmark and home to scores of historic sites, buildings, and monuments . The majority of the campus's Norman - style buildings are constructed from gray and black granite . The campus is a popular tourist destination, with a visitor center and the oldest museum in the United States Army . </P>

Where is the united states military academy at west point located