Fort Washington Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort Washington Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Cannon outside Fort Washington, Maryland
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 Fort Washington Park
Location in Maryland
Fort Washington Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Prince George's County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Fort Washington, Maryland, U.S. |
| Area | 341 acres (138 ha) |
| Visitors | 406,917 (in 2022) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Fort Washington Park |
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Fort Washington
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| Nearest city | Fort Washington, Maryland |
| Area | 341 acres (138 ha) |
| Built | 1808 |
| Built by | T.W. Maurice under Walker Keith Armistead |
| Architectural style | Second & Third Period |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000965 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Fort Washington is a historic fort near Fort Washington, Maryland. For many years, it was the only fort protecting Washington, D.C.. The first fort was finished in 1809. It was first called Fort Warburton but was renamed in 1808. During the War of 1812, the soldiers at the fort destroyed it themselves. They did this to stop the British from taking it.
Today, the National Park Service takes care of the fort. It was rebuilt starting in 1824. It is a strong stone building with a great view of the Potomac River. The fort was updated a lot in the 1840s and 1890s. In 1946, the military left the fort. It was then given to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The large area around the fort is now Fort Washington Park. It has paths for hiking and biking. You can also enjoy picnics, fishing, and other outdoor fun. Sometimes, people act out historical events at the fort. There is also a small museum. In 2006, parts of the outer wall were fixed for the fort's 200th anniversary.
The Fort Washington Light is a lighthouse below the fort. It was built in 1857. The current tower is 28 feet tall and was built in 1882.
Fort Washington's Story
Early Days and First Fort
Long ago, Native Americans lived where Piscataway Creek meets the Potomac River. They knew this spot was good for defense. In 1634, Governor Leonard Calvert saw many Native Americans ready for battle here. Later, in 1645, a group of 100 soldiers was placed at this same spot.
In 1661, Edward Digges started the Manor of Warburton nearby. His family lived there for many years. George Washington lived across the river at Mount Vernon. He often visited the Digges family. Washington knew this area well and saw how good it was for defense.
In 1794, as president, Washington asked for a fort to be built here. But the money was spent elsewhere. In 1798, he asked again, but nothing happened. Finally, in 1805, plans were made for a new fort.
Building the First Fort (1808-1809)
Captain George Bomford led the building of the first fort. It was built on four acres bought from Thomas Digges. The fort was finished on December 1, 1809. It was designed to hold 120 soldiers and 15 cannons. A tower above the fort could hold more soldiers and cannons.
This fort was the only defense on the Potomac River. It had strong walls and cannons facing the river. But military leaders worried that British ships could still get past it. The fort's blockhouse was also not very strong.
War of 1812 and Destruction
In 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain. This was the War of 1812. At first, there was little fighting near Washington. But in 1814, British forces focused on America.
In August 1814, a British fleet sailed up the Potomac River. The U.S. Secretary of War thought the British were going to Baltimore. So, Washington's defenses were not made stronger.
On August 24, the British defeated American forces at Bladensburg. They then captured and burned Washington, D.C. At Fort Warburton, there were only 56 soldiers. The fort had 26 cannons, but only nine could fire downriver.
On August 27, the British fleet came near the fort. They started firing shells. To everyone's surprise, the soldiers left the fort. They then blew it up. The next morning, the British finished destroying the fort. They then sailed to and captured Alexandria.
The fort's commander, Captain Samuel T. Dyson, was later found guilty of leaving his post. He was removed from the army.
Rebuilding the Fort (1815-1824)
Less than a month after its destruction, Fort Washington began to be rebuilt. James Monroe, who was acting Secretary of War, hired Pierre Charles L'Enfant for the job. But L'Enfant was later dismissed.
He was replaced by Lt. Col. Walker Keith Armistead. Under his assistant, Capt. T.W. Maurice, the new brick fort was built. It was declared finished on October 2, 1824. It cost $426,000.
In the 1840s, the fort was greatly updated. They built 88 gun platforms and made the east wall taller. They also rebuilt the drawbridge and made the powder magazines stronger.
Before the Civil War, there were not many soldiers at the fort. From 1853 to 1861, only one soldier, Sergeant Joseph Cameron, was there full-time.
Fort Washington During the Civil War (1861-1865)
As the country moved toward the American Civil War, Fort Washington was in a key spot. It was near Washington, D.C., and in a state where many people supported the South.
In January 1861, soldiers were sent to the fort. On April 15, after Fort Sumter surrendered, more troops arrived. Captain Joseph A. Haskin took command.
For a while, Fort Washington was the only defense for the capital. It controlled movement on the river. But soon, many other forts were built around Washington. By the end of the war, 68 forts and batteries protected the city.
The fort did not see any fighting during the Civil War. No land battles happened there, and the Confederate Navy never tried to attack Washington from the Potomac River.
Updates and New Guns (1872-1898)
After the Civil War, leaders looked at the nation's coastal defenses. They found that U.S. waters were open to attack from powerful ships.
In 1872, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began planning new defenses. Work stopped in 1875 due to lack of money. In 1887, a new plan was made. It called for modern, heavy guns and underwater mines at 27 places.
Work on these new defenses began in 1889. For Washington, the plan was to put thirteen large guns and 150 underwater mines at Fort Washington and Sheridan Point (now Fort Hunt).
At Fort Washington, work began on an underground room for firing electric mines. Then, Battery Decatur was started. It was named after Commodore Stephen Decatur, a naval hero. Other batteries like Battery Emory, Battery Humphreys, and Battery Meigs were also built. Battery Meigs had large 12-inch mortars to fire shells high into the air.
In April 1898, the USS Maine exploded, leading to the Spanish–American War. Work on the coastal defenses sped up. Two large cannons were moved, and new batteries were built. A minefield was also placed in the Potomac River. This was the only time this has ever been done.
The first soldiers to use the new guns were from Company A, 4th U.S. Artillery. They were assigned to Battery Decatur in 1897.
After the Wars (1898-1940)
On July 3, 1898, the U.S. Navy won a big battle. The Spanish–American War was mostly over. The mines were removed from the Potomac River.
In 1899, Batteries Decatur, Emory, Humphreys, and White were given to the fort's artillery commander. During World War I, the guns from Battery Decatur were sent to Europe. Fort Washington was used to train soldiers.
By 1929, Fort Washington was no longer used for coastal defense. On May 29, 1930, Fort Washington Park was created. But the fort stayed with the military until 1939.
From 1922 to 1939, soldiers from the 12th Infantry were at Fort Washington. They took part in parades and ceremonies in Washington. In 1939, the fort was given to the Department of the Interior. A camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps was built there.
World War II and Today
After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the fort was returned to the Department of War. It was used for training during World War II. Many new buildings were added.
The Adjutant General School moved to the fort in 1942. It trained Army officers in office and personnel duties.
In 1943, the 67th WAAC Detachment came to Fort Washington. These women helped with office work, communications, and transport. This freed up men to fight overseas. The workdays were long, but there was also time for fun. There was a swimming pool and dances.
After the war, in 1946, the fort went back to the Department of the Interior. Many buildings from the war were removed. Since then, it has been a public park. It helps us remember the history of coastal forts. It is also a great place for people to visit and enjoy nature.
Visiting Fort Washington Park
The visitor center is in a yellow house on the hill. It has displays about Fort Washington protecting the nation's capital. You can also watch a video about the fort. There is a 3-mile trail around the park. Many people come to watch birds or fish in the Potomac River.
Fort Washington is open all year. The park grounds are open from 8 AM to sunset. The historic fort and visitor center are open from 9 AM to 4 PM in winter. In summer, they are open from 9 AM to 5 PM. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash. On one Sunday each month from April to October, you can see Civil War artillery demonstrations.
Images for kids
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Fort Washington, seen from across the Potomac River.
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Fort Washington MD courtyard.
See also
