Fort Townsend: Difference between revisions

From FortWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
John Stanton (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
John Stanton (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{SocialNetworks}}
{{SocialNetworks}}
'''Fort Townsend (1856-1861) (1874-1895)''' - Fort Townsend was built in 1856 by the U.S. Army for the protection of settlers.
'''Fort Townsend (1856-1861) (1874-1895)''' - Fort Townsend was established in 1856 by Bvt. Major [[Granville O. Haller]], [[4th U.S. Infantry]], U.S. Army for the protection of settlers during the [[Yakima War|Yakima Indian War]].
{|width="795px" cellpadding="5px"
{|width="795px" cellpadding="5px"
|- valign="top"
|- valign="top"
Line 9: Line 9:
|}
|}
== Fort Townsend History ==
== Fort Townsend History ==
In 1859 troops were sent from the fort to assist in the San Juan Island boundary dispute commonly known as "The [[Pig War]]." The fort was closed between 1859 and 1874 for being "unfit," after an inspection by the commander of the army headquarters in Columbia. Brought back to life in 1874, the fort thrived until 1895 when fire - started by an exploding kerosene lamp - destroyed the barracks. The fort was decommissioned but was used during [[World War II]] as an enemy munitions defusing station. In 1958 it was turned over to the State Parks Commission.  
Fort Townsend was first established on 26 Oct 1856 by Major Haller as a blockhouse for settler protection during the  [[Yakima War|Yakima Indian War]]. In 1859 troops were sent from the fort to assist in the San Juan Island boundary dispute commonly known as "The [[Pig War]]." The fort was closed between 1859 and 1874 for being "unfit," after an inspection by the commander of the army headquarters in Columbia. Brought back to life in 1874, the fort thrived until 1895 when fire - started by an exploding kerosene lamp - destroyed the barracks. The fort was decommissioned but was used during [[World War II]] as an enemy munitions defusing station. In 1958 it was turned over to the State Parks Commission.  
== Current Status ==
== Current Status ==
Old Fort Townsend State Park, Jefferson County, Washington. Not much remains except the grounds and a flagpole. Interpretive signs mark the locations of important buildings and places but nothing remains that can be viewed.
Old Fort Townsend State Park, Jefferson County, Washington. Not much remains except the grounds and a flagpole. Interpretive signs mark the locations of important buildings and places but nothing remains that can be viewed.
Line 25: Line 25:
* Elevation: 194'
* Elevation: 194'
|}
|}
'''Sources:'''
* {{Roberts}}, page 837
* {{Hart}}, page 189-190
* {{Whiting}}, page 105


'''Links:'''
'''Links:'''
Line 44: Line 48:
[[Category:Washington All]]
[[Category:Washington All]]
[[Category:Washington Forts]]
[[Category:Washington Forts]]
[[Category:Washington Blockhouses]]
[[Category:Washington Jefferson County]]
[[Category:Washington Jefferson County]]
[[Category:Coastal Forts]]
[[Category:Coastal Forts]]
[[Category:State Park]]
[[Category:State Park]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Revision as of 15:54, 12 June 2011

Fort Townsend (1856-1861) (1874-1895) - Fort Townsend was established in 1856 by Bvt. Major Granville O. Haller, 4th U.S. Infantry, U.S. Army for the protection of settlers during the Yakima Indian War.

Barracks at Fort Townsend circa 1885 (University of Washington Archive)
Guardhouse at Fort Townsend circa 1885 (University of Washington Archive)
Fort Townsend Parade & Flagpole

Fort Townsend History

Fort Townsend was first established on 26 Oct 1856 by Major Haller as a blockhouse for settler protection during the Yakima Indian War. In 1859 troops were sent from the fort to assist in the San Juan Island boundary dispute commonly known as "The Pig War." The fort was closed between 1859 and 1874 for being "unfit," after an inspection by the commander of the army headquarters in Columbia. Brought back to life in 1874, the fort thrived until 1895 when fire - started by an exploding kerosene lamp - destroyed the barracks. The fort was decommissioned but was used during World War II as an enemy munitions defusing station. In 1958 it was turned over to the State Parks Commission.

Current Status

Old Fort Townsend State Park, Jefferson County, Washington. Not much remains except the grounds and a flagpole. Interpretive signs mark the locations of important buildings and places but nothing remains that can be viewed.


{"selectable":false,"width":"500"}

Location: On the Olympic Peninsula, approximately two miles south of Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington.

Maps & Images

Lat: 48.07628 Long: -122.78789

Sources:

  • Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 837
  • Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 189-190
  • Whiting, J.S., Forts of the State of Washington: A record of Military and Semi-Military Establishments Designated as Forts, Kelly Printing Company, Seattle, Second Edition, 1951, page 105

Links:

Visited: 19 Jul 2008

Picture Gallery

Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!