<Tr> <Th> Designated NMON </Th> <Td> August 12, 1946 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Designated NYCL </Th> <Td> November 23, 1965 </Td> </Tr> <P> Castle Clinton or Fort Clinton, previously known as Castle Garden, is a circular sandstone fort now located in Battery Park, in Manhattan, New York City . It is perhaps best remembered as America's first immigration station (predating Ellis Island), where more than 8 million people arrived in the U.S. from 1855 to 1890 . Over its active life, it has also functioned as a beer garden, exhibition hall, theater, and public aquarium, and currently is a national monument . </P> <P> Castle Clinton stands approximately two blocks west of where Fort Amsterdam was built in 1626, when New York City was known by the Dutch name New Amsterdam . Construction began in 1808 and was completed in 1811 . The fort, known as West Battery (sometimes Southwest Battery), was designed by architects John McComb, Jr. and Jonathan Williams . It was built on a small artificial island just off shore . </P>

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