Fort Casey (1)
Fort Casey (1890-1950) - In 1890 the U.S. Army established its garrison at Fort Casey and in 1897 expanded the post with a additional 123 acres of land. Construction on the gun batteries began in August 1897. In July 1899 the post was named for Brigadier General Thomas Lincoln Casey, the last U.S. Army chief of engineers. The Fort was officially activated in 1900, placed in caretaker status in 1950 and acquired by Washington State in 1956.
Fort Casey (1) History
Built as an Endicott Period coastal defense fort. A small detail of troops arrived on the reservation shortly after the installation of the guns in the first three batteries 26 Jan 1900. The first garrison numbered thirty men under the command of Lieutenant A.D.Putnam. Fort Casey was officially activated in 1900.
Fort Casey, with Fort Worden and Fort Flagler, comprised a "triangle of fire" guarding the entrance to Puget Sound and the Bremerton Navy Yard as well as the cities of Seattle, Tacoma and the State Capitol at Olympia.
| Battery Click on Battery links below |
No. | Caliber | Type Mount | Service Years | Battery Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Schenck | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1898-1899-1902-1942 | $ 46,604 | |
| Battery Seymour | 8 | 12" | Mortar | 1899-1899-1902-1942 | $ 46,604 | |
| Battery Worth (1) | 2 | 10" | Disappearing | 1897-1898-1902-1942 | $ 51,947 | 2 display guns 1967 |
| Battery Kingsbury (1) | 2 | 10" | Disappearing | 1901-1904-1905-1942 | $ 92,261 | |
| Battery Moore | 2 1 |
10" 10" |
Disappearing Disappearing |
1897-1899-1902-1942 190?-1904-1905-1942 |
$ 98,078 | |
| Battery Parker | 2 | 6" | Disappearing | 1903-1905-1907-1917 | $ 50,380 | |
| Battery Valleau | 4 | 6" | Disappearing | 1903-1907-1907-1917 | $ 92,125 | |
| Battery Turman | 2 | 5" | Balanced Pillar | 1899-1901-1902-1918 | $ 18,850 | |
| Battery Trevor | 2 | 3" | Pedestal | 1903-1905-1907-1933 | $ 15,800 | 2 display guns 1960 |
| Battery Van Horne | 2 | 3" | Pedestal | 1903-1905-1907-1945 | $ 14,695 | |
| Source: CDSG | ||||||
World War I
During World War I Fort Casey was used as a training post. After the war the post was placed in caretaker status and removal of armament begun.
World War II
Fort Casey was reactivated during World War II again as an induction and training center. Two batteries were modified to hold 3" anti-aircraft batteries and the barracks were rebuilt.
Current Status
Placed in caretaker status by the US Army in 1950. Put up for sale by the General Services Administration in 1956 and acquired by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Now 467 acre Fort Casey State Park.
Battery Worth has two 10" guns with disappearing carriages on display that were obtained in 1967(1963) from Battery Warwick, Fort Wint, Subic Bay, Philippines. Battery Trevor also has two 3" rapid fire pedestal guns on display, both from Battery Flake, Fort Wint, Subic Bay, Philippines installed in 1960.
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Location: On Admiralty Head, Whidbey Island, Washington Maps & Images Lat: 48.156854 Long: -122.677031 |
Sources:
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 181
- 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 830
- Coastal Defense Study Group
- History Link
Links:
Publications:
Visited: 18 Jul 2008
Picture Gallery
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Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |
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Admiralty Head Lighthouse on Fort Casey -
World War II Type Barracks -
NCO Quarters
