Strategic West Point

During the Revolutionary War, West Point, New York (Fort Clinton) held a strategic place on the Hudson River. The town sat on a S-curve in the Hudson and Fort Clinton was built in 1778 to fortify the curve. A great chain was place across the river to impede British vessels from travelling up the Hudson.

In 1780, America's must well-known traitor, Benedict Arnold attempted to hand the fort over to the British but the plot was foiled when British Major John Andre was captured as a spy.

In 1802 the United States Military Academy was established on the point.