The majority of that area is in the West Point census-designated place, and portions extend into the Fort Montgomery CDP.

[4][5] West Point is located approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City on the western bank of the Hudson River.

The academy's geographic location and geologic formations have directly shaped its history, for example, there wouldn't be a military garrison at West Point were it not for the narrow "s-curve" in the river, creating a "west point" in the river that was incredibly important for controlling shipping traffic on the Hudson during colonial times.

The combination of the narrow river turns and the commanding high ground made this place the perfect location for the Continental Army to build its stronghold against British troop movement into upstate New York during the American Revolution.

The Continental Army first occupied the relatively level plain and constructed Fort Clinton and supporting redoubts and batteries of artillery on prominent hills in the area and across the river on Constitution Island.

Guests of cadets who visit Flirtation Walk can experience glimpses of the Revolutionary War era terrain as the shoreline along the river below the plain has not changed much in over 200 years.

[6] For the first hundred years of the academy, ship-board traffic, then later rail-traffic, were the only ways to access West Point from New York City.

In the years immediately following the Revolutionary War, the Hudson Highlands surrounding West Point were sparsely populated and often harbored "gangs of thieves".

[7] An 1819 letter from superintendent Sylvanus Thayer complained to the Secretary War John C. Calhoun of the lawlessness of the local inhabitants in the highlands surrounding West Point.

[8] As transportation technology improved and coal became the dominant source of energy consumption, the wildness of the highlands subsided and the hill people whose lives were linked to subsistence upon the forest began to disappear.

By the turn of the century, the academy had begun to expand beyond the immediate reaches of the Plain and grew both south along the river and westward into the highlands.

Local legend states that one of the foundation walls of the Warner House on Constitution Island dates to the revolutionary war period, but that has never been verified through documentation.

The garrison at West Point originally centered on Fort Clinton, the Great Chain, and the defenses built upon Constitution Island.

In the academy's first one hundred years or so, there was little thought given to preserving these historical fortifications as the remains of Ft. Clinton fell into disrepair and were eventually demolished and some of the smaller redoubts were scavenged for their stone or razed to make room for other structures.

One of the more notable remaining Revolutionary War sites is Kosciuszko's Garden, which sits on the east-facing cliff side about 40 feet (12 m) below present day Cullum Hall.

[10] Immediately after the war's conclusion, Revolutionary War-era barracks and quarters served the academic mission of the fledgling academy.

That library was built in the style known as Tudor Gothic and helped set the tone of future buildings on the edge of the plain.

[14] In 1852, Delafield oversaw the construction of the Commandant's headquarter's building and cadet guardhouse on the site of present-day Bradley Barracks.

The first was a gymnasium, begun in 1891 in a Romanesque Revival design with two large towers flanking a grand arched entrance.

[23] After the turn of the century, as West Point approached its centennial, it became apparent that the campus was in need of a facilities overhaul and was lacking a clear design plan and architectural style.

[24] After a lengthy competition, the firm of Cram, Goodhue, & Furgeson (CGF) was selected to overhaul the academy's facilities.

This structure served as the home of equestrian instruction until riding was removed from the curriculum during World War II.

The dirt and debris from the construction of Bartlett Hall was used to fill in "execution hollow", a large depression located on the Plain near Trophy Point.

The 100% increase in the size of the Corps of Cadets in the early 1960s led to rapid expansion of facilities at the expense of preserving the historic structures on post.

It stood on the site now occupied by Bartlett Hall for 74 years until, after completion of the Cadet Chapel, it was deconstructed in 1910 and reconstructed at its current location in the cemetery.

West Point is home to many historic as well as modern athletic facilities: The cemetery is situated about 3/4 of a mile north of the main academic area.