Madison Barracks
Madison Barracks (1815-1947) - First established in 1815 as Fort Pike during the War of 1812 in present day Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County, New York. Remamed Madison Barracks after President James Madison. Declared surplus in 1945 and abandoned in 1947.
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Madison Barracks History
Established in 1815 during the War of 1812 as Fort Pike and built as an earthworks fortification with a blockhouse. The unfinished post cantonment was garrisoned in 1816 by five companies of the 2nd U.S. Infantry. The barracks, officer's quarters and support structures were completed in October 1819. The post was expanded circa 1838 with more substancial stone buildings for barracks, officer's quarters, a hospital, storehouses and a hospital. Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant was stationed here as a quartermaster 1849-1852 after his service in the Mexican War.
Between 1892 and 1909 the post was modernized and expanded but retained many of the old stone buildings in the plan. The small parade ground enclosed by the stone quarters was replaced by a much larger one northwest of the stone row. Five sets of brick duplex officer's quarters lined the west side of the new parade along with the commander's quarters at the north end of officer's row. On the east side of the parade were the enlisted barracks some of the support facilities and a new hospital. An 1892 central administration building was later converted to a mess hall and replaced with a post headquarters building. A combination post exchange (PX) and gym building was built by the headquarters building and in the 1930's a war department theater was added.
Current Status
Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County, New York
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Location: Sackets Harbor, Jefferson County, New York. Maps & Images Lat: 43.952201 Long: -76.11135 |
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 565
Links:
- North American Forts - Madison Barracks
- North American Forts - Madison Barracks Pages
- North American Forts - Sackets Harbor Forts
- Wikipedia - Madison Barracks]
Visited: 25 Jul 2012
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