West Point Background

The United States Military Academy was established in 1802, but West Point had a major role in our nation's history during the American Revolution. Both the American patriots and the British realized the strategic importance of the prominent plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River. General George Washington considered West Point to be the most important strategic location in America and

West Point had many advantages for being selected as a site to build fortifications on the Hudson River. Vessels passing by West Point had to make a sharp, ninety-degree turn to the west, sail a quarter of a mile, then make another right-angle turn to the north as they continued upriver. These bends were sharper than any point along the Hudson

The United States Military Academy West Point and grounds were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960 2 due to the Revolutionary War history and the age and historic significance of the academy itself. The majority of the buildings in the central cadet area are historic. The West Point Military Reservation, in Orange County, is mostly in Highlands Town.

The United States Military Academy USMA, established in 1802, is renowned for producing exceptional leaders. Situated in West Point, New York, the Academy was initially founded by President Thomas Jefferson to train officers for the rapidly expanding army. Throughout its history, West Point has evolved, adapting to the changing needs of the nation's defense.

Sketch of West Point, 1783. Image via Library of Congress West Point played a crucial role in keeping the new United States from falling to the British during the American Revolution, in the years before the area became known for its famed military academy. West Point is located on a plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River approximately sixty miles north of New York City.

Background West Point is located on the west bank of a narrow stretch of the Hudson River, 50 miles north of New York City Figure 1. Its unique geography made it an ideal location for surveillance up and down the river during the Revolutionary War. In 1802 it was designated the site of the U. S. Military Academy it has

Between 1784 and 1794, West Point was occupied by a single company of soldiers whose primary activity was maintaining the decaying fortifications. Finally, in 1794, a Corps of Artillerymen and Engineers was created at West Point. Not yet a formal military academy, this Corps was placed under the supervision of two foriegn officers, Majors Louis

Currently, black cadets are thriving at the academy. In 2019 West Point graduated a record number of black students and a record number of black women. Furthermore, West Point appointed its first black superintendent, Darryl A. Williams, in 2018. Fact 8 Robert E. Lee did not just attend West Point, he was superintendent of the Academy.

At the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, both the colonists and the British had recognized the importance of gaining possession of the Hudson River valley, and West Point became the strategic key to its defense.Gen. George Washington established his headquarters there in 1779. In 1780 Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold, who was then in command at West Point, attempted to betray it to the British.

The history of the United States Military Academy can be traced to fortifications constructed on the West Point of the Hudson River during the American Revolutionary War in 1778. The Corps of Cadets, circa 1870s Dean's House and Professor Row in background, circa 1870. Robert E. Lee class of 1829 was the Superintendent from 1852 to 1857.