Dongan Oak Monument

Dongan Oak Monument

The Dongan Oak Monument, situated in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, stands as a testament to a significant episode during the American Revolutionary War. In August 1776, as British forces advanced toward Brooklyn, American troops established a redoubt near the Battle Pass, a strategic route through the hills of Brooklyn. To impede the British advance, they felled a large white oak tree, blocking the road and creating a temporary barricade. This act allowed the American defenders to hold their position for several hours before retreating when attacked from the rear. The monument, dedicated in 1922, features a bronze eagle sculpted by Frederick Wellington Ruckstull. Over the years, the eagle has been stolen and replaced multiple times, with the most recent replacement installed by the Prospect Park Alliance. Visitors can find the monument just north of the Prospect Park Zoo, along East Drive. (atlasobscura.com)