Fort Washington, Prince Georges Co., MARYLAND

FORT WASHINGTON, Prince Georges Co.,

Fort Washington is a class C/F (restored-NP-$) military post overlooking the Potomac River, almost directly opposite Mount Vernon, seven miles south of Oxon Hill, west of SH 210. It was constructed to protect Washington, D.C. and was part of the system of Coastal Defense Forts being built to protect the entire east coast. Construction began in 1808, and on December 1, 1809 it was completed. When the British marched on Washington on August 19, 1814, they went around the fort. The next day, Captain Samuel Dyson retreated and destroyed the fort and all its munitions, rather than surrender it to the British. A month later, construction began on a new fort, and it was completed on October 2, 1824. In the mid 1840s it was remodeled and strengthened, and emplacements for 88 cannons were added. In 1861, with the Civil War looming, the fort's position was extremely important. Since it was the only fort protecting Washington, D.C., other forts were built around the capital to protect it to avoid a repeat of 1814. During the Spanish American War (1898) more batteries, including four 15" Rodman Cannons and armor piercing mortars, were added, making attack by river almost suicidal. It remained an active duty post until 1946 when it was decommissioned. Many buildings were removed, but the remaining buildings were preserved as a National Park. PHOTO!

This was our GHOST TOWN OF THE MONTH for April 2005.

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FIRST POSTED: March 05, 2005

LAST UPDATED: April 06, 2005

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