Fort DuPont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort DuPont |
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| Part of Harbor Defenses of the Delaware | |
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| Type | Fortification |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Public - State of Delaware |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
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Fort DuPont Historic District
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Fort DuPont aerial view 1927, Abbot Quad mortar battery in center
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| Location | Delaware City, Delaware |
| Area | 350 acres (140 ha) |
| Built | 1863–1945 |
| Architect | Army Corps of Engineers Army Quartermaster Department |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001275 |
| Added to NRHP | 1999 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1863–1864, 1870–1875, 1897–1904, 1941–1942 |
| Built by | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| In use | 1863–1875, 1899–1924, 1941–1945 |
| Materials | Reinforced concrete, earth |
Fort DuPont is a historic military fort in Delaware. It was named after Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont. The fort is located between Delaware City and the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. It sits on land originally granted in 1675.
From 1900 to 1942, Fort DuPont helped protect the Delaware River. It guarded the water route to Philadelphia along with two other forts. In 2016, the parts of the fort not in the state park became part of Delaware City.
The first fort built here was the Ten Gun Battery during the American Civil War. It helped the nearby Fort Delaware. Later, the Twenty Gun Battery was built in the 1870s. An underwater minefield control station was added in 1876.
Between 1897 and 1904, new gun placements were built. These held long-range rifles, mortars, and rapid-fire guns. From 1922 to 1941, the 1st Engineer Regiment was based here. During World War II, Fort DuPont was a training and deployment center. It also held captured German soldiers.
After the war, the fort was no longer needed by the military. The state of Delaware bought the site. In 1948, it opened as the Governor Walter W. Bacon Health Center. In 1992, part of the fort became Fort DuPont State Park. This was Delaware's 13th state park. In 1999, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It became known as the Fort DuPont Historic District. Today, the Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation is working to improve the site.
Fort DuPont: A Look Back in Time
Civil War Era: The First Forts
The Ten Gun Battery was built from 1863 to 1864. It was sometimes called Fort Reynolds. This battery was on land owned by Clement Reeves. The first soldiers there were from Capt. John Jay Young's Independent Battery G.
A soldier named Sgt. Bishop Crumrine described it. He said it was a "water battery" with five sides. The two longest sides faced the river. They held six 10-inch and four 15-inch Rodman guns. In the 1870s, this battery was rebuilt as the Twenty Gun Battery. It was meant to hold heavy guns and mortars. In 1876, a special building was added for an underwater minefield.
Upgrading Defenses: The Endicott Program
In 1885, a group led by Secretary of War William C. Endicott suggested big changes for coastal defenses. These ideas became the Endicott program. Before and after the Spanish–American War, major construction happened. This was to improve the defenses of the three forts on the Delaware River.
Fort Mott and Fort DuPont were mostly new. A new heavy gun battery was built inside Fort Delaware. All three forts got new batteries with long-range rifles, mortars, and rapid-fire guns. Work at Fort DuPont started in 1897. Most batteries were finished by 1900.
Powerful Guns: Mortars and Rifles
Batteries Rodney and Best were the largest at the fort. Each had eight 12-inch mortars. In 1902, all sixteen mortars were called Battery Rodney. They were split into two batteries in 1906. These mortars were in "Abbot Quad" batteries. This meant four pits, each with four mortars. High walls of earth and concrete surrounded them for protection. This design was common for early mortar setups. It helped focus their fire. However, it was too crowded for quick reloading. Later batteries were built in a line with open backs.
Batteries Read and Gibson had two 12-inch guns and two 8-inch guns. The 12-inch guns were on barbette carriages. The 8-inch guns were on disappearing carriages. These were in an unusual combined battery. The 12-inch guns of Battery Read were on either side of the 8-inch guns of Battery Gibson.
Battery Ritchie had two 5-inch guns on pedestal mounts. Battery Elder, finished in 1910, had two 3-inch guns on pedestal mounts. These smaller guns were called "mine defense guns." They were used to protect the underwater minefield from enemy ships.
Honoring Heroes: Battery Names
- Battery Rodney was named for Caesar Rodney. He signed the Declaration of Independence.
- Battery Best was named for Major Clermont L. Best. He was an artillery officer.
- Battery Read was named for George Read. He signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
- Battery Gibson was named for Colonel James Gibson. He was killed in the War of 1812.
- Battery Ritchie was named for Captain John Ritchie. He was an artillery officer killed in the War of 1812.
- Battery Elder was named for Samuel S. Elder. He was an artillery officer in the Civil War.
In 1899, the "battery at Delaware City" was officially named Fort DuPont. It was named after Rear Adm. Samuel Francis Du Pont. Soldiers from the 4th U.S. Artillery were stationed there. Fort DuPont was the main headquarters for the three forts in the area. It had more barracks and offices than the other two forts.
By 1907, the artillery companies became part of the new U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps. By 1913, Forts DuPont, Delaware, and Mott were part of the "Coast Defenses of the Delaware".
World War I: Changes and Training
During World War I, Fort DuPont continued to defend the coast. It also became a training post for new soldiers. Some mortars were moved from Fort DuPont to other forts in Hawaii and California.
In 1915, Batteries Read and Gibson were considered old. In 1917, Battery Gibson's 8-inch guns were removed. They were planned for use as railway artillery on the Western Front in Europe. The carriages were removed in 1918 and scrapped. In 1918, Battery Read's 12-inch guns were moved to Fort Hamilton, New York. Battery Ritchie's 5-inch guns were moved to Virginia. None of these guns ever returned to Fort DuPont.
Units like the 7th Trench Mortar Battalion trained at Fort DuPont. They went to France in October 1918. A two-gun antiaircraft battery was also built at the fort in 1918.
Between the Wars: A New Purpose
Fort Saulsbury was built from 1917 to 1920. It was near Slaughter Beach, Delaware. This new fort took over the main defense role. It had four 12-inch guns that could shoot much farther. Fort DuPont and the other older forts still had some mortars, mines, and guns.
After World War I, Fort DuPont became a supply depot. It also became an engineer post. The First Engineers arrived in May 1922. From 1934 to 1936, Col. Ulysses S. Grant III commanded Fort DuPont. He was the grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant.
World War II: A Busy Base
During World War II, Fort DuPont was a busy place. It was a mobilization station. This meant units gathered here before going overseas. In 1941, the 1st Engineer Battalion left for service abroad.
At the start of the war, Fort DuPont was the headquarters for the Harbor Defenses of the Delaware. It had units like the 21st Coast Artillery Regiment. In 1942, the headquarters moved to Fort Miles in Lewes, Delaware. Fort DuPont's weapons were removed and scrapped. Fort Miles had taken over its defense role.
In May 1944, a prisoner-of-war camp was set up at Fort DuPont. About 3,000 German prisoners were held there. This included crew members from the submarine U-858. They surrendered in May 1945. The prisoners worked in various support roles at the fort. They also worked for local businesses. After the war, Fort DuPont was no longer needed by the military.
After World War II: A New Chapter
In 1948, Fort DuPont reopened as the Governor Bacon Health Center. It was run by the Delaware Division of Health and Social Services. In 1992, a large part of the fort became Fort DuPont State Park.
In 1976, the Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Scannell Armory was built. This armory became home to the 153rd Military Police Company in 1996. Fort DuPont was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The Fort DuPont Historic District covers about 350 acres. It includes over 75 historic buildings and structures.
Preserving Fort DuPont's History
Restoration Efforts
During World War II, Fort DuPont had about 300 buildings. By 2011, fewer than 80 historic buildings remained. Many temporary buildings were torn down after the war. Most of the officers' houses were also removed by 1980.
Different state agencies manage parts of Fort DuPont. This can sometimes make it hard to decide who is responsible for upkeep. Funding for maintenance has been limited. Many old houses need repairs like new roofs and paint. The Twenty Gun Battery is hard to see in summer due to overgrown plants.
Experts believe most buildings can still be saved. In 2011, Delaware approved $250,000 for a master plan. This plan focuses on restoring and preserving historic structures. It also aims to adapt them for modern use.
Resident Curatorship Program
Delaware State Parks has a special program. It's called the resident curatorship program. This program lets people restore a historic property. In return, they get to live there rent-free for a long time. The cost to restore a property can be very high. So, the lease is usually for the curator's lifetime.
Almost a dozen historic properties at Fort DuPont are available. There are also programs for businesses and non-profit groups. In 2006, the Fort Delaware Society became the first successful curator. They restored the quartermaster office.
The Delaware Military Heritage & Education Foundation also joined the program. They plan to restore the Post Exchange and gymnasium. They also plan to restore a non-commissioned officer duplex. These will be part of the Delaware Military Museum.
In 2007, the old movie theater was in bad shape. State funding was low, but enough money was found for a new roof and other repairs. The theater is also available for the curatorship program. A historian said it would be "the perfect place for the community to gather." It could host plays, musicals, and movies.
New Uses for Old Buildings
Many historic buildings at Fort DuPont are being used in new ways. The Renewal Center uses the old post chapel. This chapel was built in 1941. The center maintains the building.
The Delaware Wing of the Civil Air Patrol has its headquarters in the old post headquarters. The double-company barracks and band barracks are now main hospital buildings. They are part of the Governor Bacon Health Center. Other historic structures still serve their original purpose. This includes the carpenter shop and other maintenance buildings.
The Delaware Division of Purchasing uses the original commissary as a surplus warehouse. The state's vehicles are kept and maintained in the original motor pool. In 2008, Delaware State Parks restored one of the brick duplexes. It will eventually be furnished with 1930s items. It will be used for public programs.
Images for kids
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Fort DuPont Historical Sign.
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Ten Gun Battery (circa 1863) Plan by Lt. Col. Henry Brewerton
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12-inch mortars, similar to those at Fort DuPont.
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A crowded mortar pit from the Abbot Quad period.
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Fort DuPont Post Location Plan, November 1943
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Peggy Ann Garner signs an autograph at Fort DuPont in 1942.
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Old barracks now the Governor Bacon Health Center
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Noncommissioned Officer Duplex
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Mine Control Casemate
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War Department Theatre
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Then: Quartermaster Office (Building 113) Now: Fort Delaware Society Headquarters
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Post Exchange (Building 36)
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