Fort Rodman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Taber District
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Fort Rodman
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | New Bedford, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1861 |
| Architect | Robert E. Lee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Architectural style | Third System fortification |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001954 |
| Added to NRHP | February 8, 1973 |
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The Fort Taber District is a historical military fort located in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It's also known as the Fort at Clark's Point. This fort was built during the American Civil War to protect the city. Today, the fort is part of Fort Taber Park, a large 47-acre park that visitors can explore.
Originally, there was a smaller fort called Fort Taber. It was an earthwork, meaning it was made of earth and dirt, and was built quickly to defend the area. Later, the bigger stone fort, Fort Rodman, was completed and took over the defense.
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Fort Taber: A Quick Defense
When the Civil War started in April 1861, the main stone fort at Clark's Point was still being built. To protect New Bedford right away, a smaller fort called Fort Taber was quickly constructed. It was an earthwork with six cannons and was named after the city's mayor at the time. Fort Taber served as a temporary defense until the larger stone fort was ready in 1863. Today, you can see a stone outline where Fort Taber once stood, right behind the main stone fort.
Fort Rodman: The Stone Fortress
The main stone fort, known as Fort Rodman, began construction in 1857. For many years, it was called the "Fort at Clark's Point." In 1862, an important engineer named Henry Robert, who later wrote "Robert's Rules of Order," helped oversee its building. The fort was designed to hold 72 cannons on three different levels. A fourth level was planned but removed to help finish the fort faster. Construction stopped in 1871, and the fort was never fully completed as first imagined.
You can learn more about the fort's history at the Fort Rodman/Fort Taber Military Museum. It's open most days from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Fort Rodman's New Name and Batteries
In 1898, the U.S. Army officially named the military area and the fort "Fort Rodman Military Reservation." This was to honor Lieutenant Colonel Logan Rodman, a soldier from New Bedford who died in 1863 during the Civil War. Fort Rodman became the main fort for the Coast Defenses of New Bedford. It was staffed by the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps, which specialized in defending coastlines. Besides gun batteries, the fort also had equipment to set up and control an underwater minefield to stop enemy ships. The fort was recognized as a historic place in 1973.
New gun batteries were built at Fort Rodman between 1898 and 1902, with more added later. These batteries had different types of cannons, like 8-inch disappearing guns, 5-inch pedestal guns, and 3-inch masking parapet guns. Later, 12-inch guns and 155 mm guns were also added.
Many of these batteries were named after brave soldiers:
- Battery Walcott was named for William H. Walcott, a Civil War soldier.
- Battery Barton was named for William Barton, a hero from the Revolutionary War.
- Battery Cross was named for Charles E. Cross, an engineer officer who died in the Civil War.
- Battery Craig was named for Presley O. Craig, a soldier killed in the Civil War.
- Battery Gaston was named for William Gaston, a soldier who fought Native Americans in 1858.
- Battery Milliken was named for Alfred S. Milliken, an engineer officer who died in World War I.
Fort Rodman During World Wars
During World War I, some of Fort Rodman's 5-inch guns were taken off for possible use on the battlefields in Europe. However, they were later returned. The 8-inch guns were also prepared for use as railway artillery but stayed at the fort.
In the 1920s, some older 3-inch guns were removed and not replaced. A new battery, Battery Milliken, was built between 1917 and 1921. It had powerful 12-inch guns that could shoot much farther than the older guns. During World War II, Battery Milliken was protected with a casemate (a strong, armored room) to guard against air attacks. Women from the Women's Army Corps even worked at the fort, operating the switchboard.
In 1938, two 155 mm guns were added to Fort Rodman. These guns were placed on special circular concrete platforms called "Panama mounts." From 1940 to 1941, many temporary buildings were put up to house the soldiers who were mobilized for the war. By 1942, only the 12-inch Battery Milliken and the 155 mm battery were still active. The fort was defended by the 23rd Coast Artillery unit during most of World War II.
After World War II ended in 1946, Fort Rodman was disarmed, meaning its guns were removed. The fort was then given to the state of Massachusetts.
Other Nearby Defenses
During World War II, several other smaller batteries were built to protect New Bedford and Buzzards Bay. These included:
- Battery 210 at Mishaum Point Military Reservation in Dartmouth, which had two 6-inch guns.
- Two batteries of 90 mm guns, called Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat Batteries (AMTB), were placed at Barneys Joy Point Military Reservation and on Cuttyhunk Island. These were designed to stop fast enemy boats.
- Another 90 mm battery, AMTB 933, was on Nashawena Island.
- A 155 mm battery, later replaced by AMTB 934, protected the southern entrance to the Cape Cod Canal at Butler Point Military Reservation in Marion.
Fort Taber Park Today
By 1948, all of Fort Rodman's guns had been scrapped. The fort grounds and buildings were used as a military reserve center for a while. Today, most of the former fort is a public park. While the old stone fort and gun batteries are fenced off for safety, visitors can still view them. The stone fort is sometimes opened for special events.
Clarks Point Lighthouse
The Clarks Point Light is a lighthouse located on top of the fort's wall. It was first built as a separate tower, but in 1869, it was moved to the fort. This was because the fort's tall walls were blocking the light from being seen from some directions. The lighthouse was turned off in 1898 but was relit in 2001 by the city to help guide boats.
Fort Taber Historical Association Museum
The Fort Taber Historical Association Museum is located within Fort Taber Park. It has a miniature model of the fort, old military uniforms, photos, and other military items. The museum is run by the Fort Taber/Fort Rodman Historical Association and opened in 2004.
Park Activities and Memorials
Fort Taber Park offers several attractions. You can see various old gun batteries. The park also hosts re-enactments of events from the American Revolution, the American Civil War, and World War II.
A World War II M-4 Sherman tank is on display in the park. This tank was recovered from the debris of Exercise Tiger, a training exercise where many American soldiers lost their lives. The tank serves as the US memorial for those who died during that exercise, and a ceremony is held every year to remember them.
See also
