Fort Wilkins (1): Difference between revisions

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[[File:Fort Wilkins Powder Magazine - 1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Fort Wilkins Powder Magazine]]
[[File:Fort Wilkins Powder Magazine - 1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Fort Wilkins Powder Magazine]]
[[File:Fort Wilkins Suttler Store - 1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Fort Wilkins Sutler's Stone]]
[[File:Fort Wilkins Suttler Store - 1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Fort Wilkins Sutler's Stone]]
Originally established on 28 May 1844 by two companies of the [[5th U.S. Infantry]] from Detroit to protect copper miners from Chippewa Indians. Deactivated on 24 Jul 1846 when the garrison left for the [[Mexican War]]. Reactivated in 1867 after the [[U.S. Civil War]]. Finally abandoned on 30 Aug 1870.
Originally established on 28 May 1844 by two companies of the [[5th U.S. Infantry]] from Detroit to protect copper miners from Chippewa Indians.
The post was established on Michigan's Upper Peninsula at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula on Lake Superior. Deactivated on 24 Jul 1846 when the garrison left for the [[Mexican War]].  
 
Reactivated in 1867 after the [[U.S. Civil War]]. Finally abandoned on 30 Aug 1870. The post remained in private hands until 1923 when it became a State Park. The park personnel stabilized the few remaining buildings and supervised the reconstruction of the fort by the Work Projects Administration (WPA). The work was completed between 1939 and 1942.
 


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Revision as of 07:03, 9 September 2013

Fort Wilkins (1) (1844-1870) - First established in 1844 at Copper Harbor in Keweenaw County, Michigan. Constructed by two companies of the 5th U.S. Infantry under General Hugh Brady and Captain R.E. Cleary. Named after Secretary of War William Wilkins. Abandoned in 1870.

Fort Wilkins Married Enlisted Quarters Outside the Stockade
Fort Wilkins Flagstaff
Fort Wilkins Parade

Fort Wilkins (1) History

Fort Wilkins Powder Magazine
Fort Wilkins Sutler's Stone

Originally established on 28 May 1844 by two companies of the 5th U.S. Infantry from Detroit to protect copper miners from Chippewa Indians. The post was established on Michigan's Upper Peninsula at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula on Lake Superior. Deactivated on 24 Jul 1846 when the garrison left for the Mexican War.

Reactivated in 1867 after the U.S. Civil War. Finally abandoned on 30 Aug 1870. The post remained in private hands until 1923 when it became a State Park. The park personnel stabilized the few remaining buildings and supervised the reconstruction of the fort by the Work Projects Administration (WPA). The work was completed between 1939 and 1942.



Fort Wilkins Officer's Quarters
Fort Wilkins Barracks and Mess
Fort Wilkins Plan from Park Sign


Current Status

Part of Fort Wilkins State Park. Surviving and restored features include:

Remaining Post Features
  • Kitchen and Mess Room
  • Company Quarters
  • Officers' Quarters
  • Hospital
  • Powder Magazine
  • Ice House
  • Sutler Building
  • Storehouse
  • Bakery
  • Married Enlisted Men's Quarters
  • Copper Mine Sites
  • Blacksmith Shop
  • Guardhouse
  • Stockade

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Location: Part of Fort Wilkins State Park in Keweenaw Point, near Copper Harbor, Keweenaw County, Michigan.

Maps & Images

Lat: 47.4662936 Long: -87.8648312

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 425

Links:

Visited: 3-5 Sep 2013

Fort Wilkins (1) Picture Gallery

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