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.
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Fort Wilkins (1) History
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.
Current Status
Part of Fort Wilkins State Park. Surviving and restored features include:
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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
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