A small island located in the Gotham Bay, Blackgate Island was a historic Gotham location that was primarily known as the site of the city's infamous penitentiary, Blackgate Prison.
History[]
17th Century[]
In the 17th century, the island known in modern times as "Blackgate" was settled and given its name by Captain Jon Valor, who commandeered it as a base for his exploits as the so-called "Black Pirate". Ships sailing for the thriving colony of Gotham City navigated through "Black's Gate" in order to arrive. Many of them failed to make the journey.
In the latter half of the 17th century, Blackgate Island was home to a monastery of unknown origin. The chapel of Blackgate Prison was a remnant of that original structure. Notable features of the chapel included its stained-glass depiction of St. Michael casting Lucifer into Hell, as well as two carvings on either side of the entrance, titled "Lucifer cast into Hell" and dated ca. 1666.
18th-19th Century[]
The island's location east of Gotham City made it an ideal site for a gun battery in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. In 1775, it was briefly commanded by the legendary Brigadier General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, who remarked that "the island's grim desolation was a fitting tomb for our country's enemies".
Early 20th Century[]
The island was then abandoned until an archaeological expedition (in 1910, according to Martin Joseph) by noted Gotham University student Cyrus Pinkney III, and his assistant, Ezekiel. During World War II, the island hosted a secret dock inside a cave, which was used in the construction of ships.
Mid-20th Century[]
Then, in the closing days of World War II, Carl Draper was contracted to construct a prison for Gotham's criminals. The result was Blackgate Penitentiary, located above the old dock, and which was completed after four years of construction. Draper called it "the prison of the future".
In the 1960s, the old dock was decommissioned and replaced by a new dock located near the prison lighthouse.
Modern times[]
The prison continued into modern times, beset by ever-worsening riots and losses of control, until eventually it was turned into a shopping mall.
Gallery[]
