In Defense of the Capitol

July 23, 2023 -- Until last year, I had never heard of Fort Washington. My mom suggested we visit, so we did. Fort Washington was built to defend a river approach to Washington DC. For a time, it was the only defense of the Capitol. The old fort is one of the few US seacoast fortifications still in its original form. It has a rich history of service to our country and our nation's capitol.

Welcome to Fort Washington Park

The Yellow House:  Visitor's Center

The original fort overlooking the Potomac River was completed in 1809. During the War of 1812, it was destroyed by its own garrison. From 1812 until the Second World War, the fort was used actively in defense and training. The current historic fort was constructed in 1824. It was extensively remodeled in the 1840s and 1890s. The first guns were mounted in 1846. As technology advanced so did Fort Washington.

Mom in front of the gate house

The gatehouse

Outside

Courtyard

Guns in front of the barracks

Inside the fort

24-pounder canon

Potomac defense

Walls inside

View of the Potomac River from the fort

24-pound howitzer

Lighthouse on the Potomac

Lighthouse at Digges Point

Fort on a hill

The fort was original called Fort Warburton.

Eight artillery batteries were installed on the grounds of Fort Washington, and all of them still exist today. They range in condition from good to dilapidated. Construction on Battery Decatur began in 1891. The guns and carriages were finally installed in 1897. Constructed from 1898 to 1902, Battery Meigs was armed with eight 12” rifled mortars, making it the only mortar battery at Fort Washington.

Battery Decatur

Battery Commander's Station

Battery Meigs

The Mortar Battery

The PX and the Officers’ Quarters building just down the road are the only two buildings remaining from post-1900 Fort Washington. During World War II a number of buildings were constructed, but these were all removed when the base closed in 1946. There are plans to restore the two buildings, but there is no telling if and when this will ever happen.

Old gym and PX (c. 1890s)

Bachelors Officers' quarters