Timeline
1797
Navy Yard commissioned for military use
A Congressional resolve of January 1797 authorized the federal government to purchase 23 acres on the Charlestown waterfront for $19,000. The Navy Yard was subsequently constructed, and opened for operations in 1801.
It was enlarged by fill, and additional land acquisitions in 1811 and 1840, to a total size of 201 acres comprising Navy facilities that included 161 buildings, 21 miles of railroad and a number of docks, piers, and shipways.