Fort Wilkins (1)

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. 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.

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 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 620'

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:

• North American Forts - Fort Wilkins
• Official State Park Site

Visited: 3-5 Sep 2013

Fort Wilkins (1) Picture Gallery

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