Fort Nonsense (Morristown, New Jersey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Nonsense
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Cannon at Fort Nonsense
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 Location in Morris County, New Jersey
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| Part of | Morristown National Historical Park (ID66000053) |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Fort Nonsense is an important historical place in Morristown, New Jersey. It's one of four special sites that make up the Morristown National Historical Park. This park helps us remember the American Revolutionary War, which lasted from 1775 to 1783.
Fort Nonsense sits on a high hilltop. From here, you can see far and wide! It was built in 1777 by order of General George Washington, the leader of the American army. People believe it might have been used for signal fires or as a lookout point during the war.
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Why Is It Called Fort Nonsense?
The name "Fort Nonsense" is a bit of a mystery! No one knows exactly where the name came from. It doesn't appear in any old documents before 1833.
There's a popular story that General Washington built the fort just to keep his soldiers busy. This way, they wouldn't get into trouble. However, the National Park Service, which takes care of the park, has a different idea.
What Was the Fort's Real Purpose?
The National Park Service says that small forts were often built to protect military camps and important supply areas. Fort Nonsense was first called "the Hill" or "Kinney’s Hill." It was a very important spot because it overlooked the town of Morristown.
Washington's soldiers worked hard here. They dug trenches, built up earth walls (called embankments), and made a guardhouse for about 30 men. They also fortified the top of the hill with an earthwork redoubt, which is like a strong dirt wall. The main job of Fort Nonsense was to be a safe place for guards stationed in the town if they needed to retreat.
A Strategic Lookout Point
Fort Nonsense is located at the highest point above a flat area where Morristown was built. This high spot was perfect for military strategy. From the fort, soldiers could clearly see the lands to the north, east, and south. Mountains rose directly to the west, providing natural protection.
The mountains of northern New Jersey were like natural barriers. British troops and their hired soldiers, called Hessians, found it very difficult to cross these mountains. This made the area a safe retreat for the American army. Scouts at Fort Nonsense could watch the movements of British troops between New York City and Philadelphia.
What Fort Nonsense Looks Like Today
Today, Fort Nonsense is no longer a military lookout. It's a public park that people can visit! Much of the forest has grown back around it.
The park service keeps an open area on the east side and at the very top of the hill. Here, you'll find a parking lot and a small park with an old cannon from the time period.
From the east side, you can see the entire New York City skyline! You can also see Morristown's busy South Street and many towns between Morristown and New York City. On clear days, the view is amazing, both day and night. However, the park closes at night, so you can't see the sparkling city lights then.
