Fort McGilvray facts for kids

Fort McGilvray was a United States military fort built on Caines Head. This is a tall cliff, about 650 feet high, located south of Seward, Alaska, near Resurrection Bay. During World War II, the United States Army built many forts along the coast of the bay. Their goal was to protect Seward from a possible invasion by Japanese forces.

Seward was a very important place. Its bay stayed clear of ice all year round, which was great for ships. Also, Seward was the end point of the Alaska Railroad. This railroad was a key route for moving important supplies for both people and the military across Alaska.

What Was Fort McGilvray?

Fort McGilvray was a strong military base built to protect a vital part of Alaska during World War II. It was named after an Army officer named McGilvray, who was in charge of Fort Kenay in 1869. The fort was part of a bigger plan to keep Alaska safe from enemy attacks.

Why Was This Fort Built?

Before the war, Seward's defense was simple, with just a few movable guns. But as the war began, the U.S. Army realized they needed stronger defenses. Seward was a crucial spot because its port was always open, even in winter. This made it perfect for ships to bring in supplies. The Alaska Railroad then carried these supplies across the territory. Because of this, the military worried that Japanese forces might try to attack Seward.

Building the Fort

Work on the defenses at Caines Head started on July 31, 1941. After the U.S. joined the war, permanent spots for big guns were built. Plans were made for new gun batteries, including powerful 6-inch and 90-mm guns. They also planned many spots for controlling fire and searchlights.

Building the fort was very hard. The land was rough and rocky, and the Alaskan winters made construction even tougher. By the end of 1943, a battery of guns at Lowell Point, near Seward, was finished and ready. Close to Fort McGilvray, at South Beach, there were buildings and barracks. These housed about 500 soldiers who worked to defend the area.

What Happened After the War?

In 1943, American and Canadian soldiers fought to take back Attu and Kiska islands in the Aleutian Islands. After these islands were won back, the threat to Alaska became much smaller. So, in March 1944, the military decided to take apart the installations at Caines Head. Many parts of the fort were not even fully finished yet. The big guns were taken apart and sent to places like South Dakota and San Diego. The buildings were left empty.

Years later, in 1971, the Alaska Division of Parks was created to manage land for recreation. The Caines Head State Recreation Area was set up with 1800 acres. In 1974, it grew even bigger, adding 4000 more acres. In 1984, workers started clearing the old military roads. When they reached the fort at the top of Caines Head, they found the concrete buildings still in great shape, with working doors and windows! Experts in military history and engineering say it's one of the best-preserved old military sites in all of Alaska.