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This 24 pounder cannon has an effective range of 1900 yards, almost double the distance to the Virginia shoreline. This is all that remains of the fort’s 1861 armament.<\/p><\/div>\n

Fort Washington has evolved over the years and is not just one structure but several on the property that were built to meet the changes in strategy and technology. It is also one of only a handful of the seacoast fortifications still in their original form.<\/p>\n

In 1872, the US Army turned the fort over to the Army engineers who constructed new gun positions. In 1896, new concrete batteries were built near the fort for Endicott-era<\/a> guns, 10-inch rifles on disappearing carriages, 12 inch mortar batteries and 4 inch rifles. Land was purchased and similar batteries were built across on the Virginia side of the Potomac — Ft. Hunt.<\/p>\n

In 1921, after the post was no longer needed, it became the headquarters of the 12th infantry. During WWII, the Adjutant General’s Officer Candidate School. was based there. In 1946 the fort was deactivated and became part of the National Park System so that it could be preserved historically and provide recreational opportunities. One Facebook friend says he attended a military school there (or near there) in 2005. $\"DSCN2931\"$ <\/a>
\nOn the point there is also a navigational channel marker which has served as a fog warning.<\/p>\n

Our visit was on a cold but sunny day and we started our tour by driving through the park and taking the path down by the river. It’s obvious that the park is used by many nearby residents as a place for walking, bike riding and exercising the dogs. $\"DSCN2925\"$ <\/a>
\nOn leaving the car, we came across this trash can with a solar powered compactor.<\/p>\n

The old light house\/fog signal is small (even compared to $\"DSCN2937\"$ <\/a>Massachusetts lighthouses), less than 30 feet high.
\nThe area between the main fortification and the river has been used over the years for munitions storage, kitchens and later for mounting of cannons and other artillery. From this area is also the entrance called the sally port. Steve walked in this way but found that entrance locked.<\/p>\n

$\"The$ <\/a>

The stairway from the water battery inside the fort. Doors at the landing below provided protection and thus a sally port.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The stairway from the water batter outside the fort. Doors at the bottom and at the top (shown) provided additional security.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Mt. Vernon lies just beyond the tree-covered point on the right.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Looking upriver. The bridge in the distance is the Woodrow Wilson connecting MD to Alexandria VA via I95\/495<\/p><\/div>\n

The fort is located on a high point at the juncture of the Potomac River and Piscataway Creek, slightly upriver from Mt. Vernon.\u00a0This area is known as the Water Battery. In this area were several support facilities for the fort including the powder magazine, storehouse, saddlers shop, blacksmith, stables and the shot house. In the late 19th century, the area underwent major changes as platforms for four fifteen inch guns were added. Later, there were provisions for the Endicott guns. Guns located in this area could ricochet across the water (like skipping rocks) to more directly and accurately hit attacking ships. \u00a0 $\"DSCN7820\"$ <\/a> $\"DSCN2953\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

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\n $\"P1060125\"$ <\/a>Two sets of gates protected the main entrance. During renovations made in the 1840s, a drawbridge was added to further protect the entrance. A series of chains and counterweights provided for rapid closure in case of attack from the land side. Additionally, 13 guns provided protection. Gunrooms were built flanking the main entrance (or sally port) to aid in that protection.<\/p>\n

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The main entrance or sally port from inside.<\/p><\/div>\n

$\"DSCN7857\"$ <\/a>The northwest demi-bastion was designed to contain two levels of guns but only the upper row was installed. The lower level was used by laundresses who lived with their soldier husbands until better quarters were built later. The area was also used for storerooms.<\/p>\n

$\"P1060105\"$ <\/a> $\"DSCN2965\"$ <\/a>Also part of the 1840s improvements was the addition of this protected passageway called a capionere which projected from the landside wall and included two levels of guns mounted on swivel tracks to facilitate aiming.<\/p>\n

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The capionere also provided a hidden point to keep an eye on the four-legged neighbors.<\/p><\/div>\n

There was also a battery along the outer wall of the ditch surrounding the fort. This provided the capability to fire muskets against attackers who had entered the ditch as well as towards the river.<\/p>\n

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Postern gate, now sealed up<\/p><\/div>\n

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Officers quarters<\/p><\/div>\n

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Looking across to Enlisted quarters<\/p><\/div>\n

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Another view across the main parade ground<\/p><\/div>\n

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Looking south across the parade ground from above the front gate. A shed (no longer there) at the far corner provided lookout and control capabilities for the Endicott era mines in the river.<\/p><\/div>\n