Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site |
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Visitor center at the historic site
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 Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site
Location in Louisiana
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| Location | Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States of America |
| Established | November 18, 2010 |
| Governing body | Louisiana Office of State Parks |
Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site is a special place in Pineville, Louisiana. It's a historic site that protects two old forts: Fort Randolph and Fort Buhlow. These forts are very important because they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as significant places in American history.
What You Can See at the Site
Bailey's Dam: A Clever Escape
The historic site has the remains of something called Bailey's Dam. This wasn't a normal dam built to hold back water. It was a clever structure built during the American Civil War.
In 1864, a Union army and navy force was stuck on the Red River. The water level was too low for their ships to pass over some rapids. Admiral David Porter's fleet was in danger of being captured.
To save the ships, Union soldiers quickly built a temporary dam. This raised the water level enough for the ships to float over the rapids. It was a brilliant plan that helped the Union fleet escape safely after the Battle of Mansfield.
Explore and Learn
At the site, you can visit a modern visitor center. It has exhibits that teach you about the forts and their history. There is also an elevated boardwalk. This path lets you walk through the area and see the remains of the dam.
The site also has a large field. This field is sometimes used for Civil War re-enactments. These events help people imagine what life was like during that time. They show how soldiers lived and fought.
