The first primitive fortification, called "The Castle", was placed on the site in 1634 and, after two re-buildings, replaced circa 1692 with a more substantial . President John Adams came to dedicate new fort as "Fort Independence" in 1799. It was constructed primarily out of granite from Rockport, Massachusetts. Located on Castle Island, Fort Independence is one of the oldest continuously fortified sites of English origin in the United States. William Buckley escaped from prison and is said to have spent years hiding in this seaside cave. Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Fort Independence, formerly known as Castle William, sits on top of Castle Island. The mere presence of Fort Independence was sufficient to defend the town., Taken from the book, Castle Island and Fort Independence by William J. Reid. My father was part of the Castle Island Association and now I have joined to try to help get this historic history online. Demi-culverins were valued by generals for their range, accuracy, and effectiveness. A monument outside the west battery of the fort marks the former site of the grave of Lieutenant Robert F. Massie, who was killed in a sword duel with Lieutenant Gustavus Drane at the fort on December 25, 1817. The process was finished in the 1920s and Castle Island ceased to be an island. Some British soldiers and officials were stationed on the island for the next six years. The fort was now described as, a regular pentagon with bastions of masonry, mounting 42 heavy cannons, with two additional batteries for six guns and was now built using bricks. Here is a link for more details on the capture and journey ofthe Fort Ticonderoga cannonsto Boston. The city of Boston commenced filling the marshes separating Castle Island from South Boston in 1890 with the intention of creating green space and promenades. The battalion set the fort in order and were trained in infantry and artillery drill, eventually forming the nucleus of the 24th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The duel did, in fact, take place, but the victor, Lieutenant Drane, was not murdered by the fort's soldiers. [26], In 1898, during the SpanishAmerican War, the U.S. government briefly reclaimed Castle Island, however it was quickly returned to the city of Boston in 1899. [27], In 1962, the U.S. government permanently deeded Castle Island and Fort Independence to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. [27], In 1962, the U.S. government permanently deeded Castle Island and Fort Independence to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The military again took control of Fort Independence during World War I and World War II and anti-aircraft guns were added. [4] Construction was planned and supervised by Deputy Gov. In 1890, Castle Island (excluding the fort) was ceded by the United States government. 13. For the fort on New York's Governors Island, see, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, This information is taken from Nicholas Simpkins' biography and from the town history of Yarmouth, MA, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, 24th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, National Register of Historic Places listings in southern Boston, Massachusetts, List of military installations in Massachusetts, Fort Constitution at NorthAmericanForts.com, Fort Independence (1) at American Forts Network, Fort Independence (2) at American Forts Network, https://malegislature.gov/VirtualTour/Artifact/8, "Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach and Carson Beach". Now surrounded, Howe decided to remove his 10,000 troops and 1,000 loyalist from Boston. This 22 acre land-bound island features a wide variety of interesting and entertaining things to do including: photo credit: BostonCentral. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fort_Independence_(Massachusetts)&oldid=1092542335, This page was last edited on 10 June 2022, at 22:47. According to folklorist Edward Rowe Snow, Massie was so popular with the soldiers stationed at Fort Independence that they took out their frustration on his killer, Lieutenant Drane, by walling him up within a vault in the fort. Fort Independence is a granite bastion fort that provided harbor defenses for Boston, Massachusetts. write to us: Castle Island Association P.O. After the Boston Massacre in 1770, Bostonians called for British troops stationed in the city to be removed to Castle William.4 British forces maintained their presence at Castle William for the next six years. At the close of both conflicts, the fort was promptly returned to the custody of the city of Boston. The first fort was constructed underGovernor John Winthrops orderand was supervised by Deputy Governor Roger Ludlow andCaptain John Mason of Dorchester. Fort Independence (Castle Island) Boston, Massachusetts On a former island, this old fortification once used to protect the Boston Area and started Edgar Allan Poe in his military career.. In 1634 Governor Dudley of Massachusetts Bay Colony selected Castle Island for the sea defense of Boston. "Castle Island/Fort Independence," The Cultural Landscape Foundation, accessed February 9, 2022. [4] The fort mounted six saker cannons and three smaller guns. [4], From 1701 to 1703 the fort was further expanded. In 1785, the legislature of Massachusetts designated the fort as a prison, in which capacity it served until 1805.[13]. There may have been times when the feared or anticipated danger seemed more realThe French and Indian war, the pre-revolution period, or the Civil War, when more personnel were stationed on the island for greater or lesser periods of time. Fort Independence Map. So long as the British could leave unmolested, they would not destroy downtown Boston. See. Learning and lectures. The battalion set the fort in order and were trained in infantry and artillery drill, eventually forming the nucleus of the 24th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Solar powered Spectacle Island features all-green facilities. [22][23] A small part of Castle William's brick structure remains in the rear portion of the present fort, but is covered up by subsequent stonework. It is considered the "oldest fortified military site in British North America." 1 View photos of the 135 condos and apartments listed for sale in Fort Independence Boston. The first commander of the fort was British Captain Nicholas Simpkins. Day Boulevard, South Boston, MA map. 1,818 Sq. At the same time, the continental troops provided cover fire in Cambridge on the British forces. [10] Its armament was nearly doubled to 100 guns. Frothingham, "History of the siege of Boston," 312. The new Fort was reconstructed using pine logs, stone, and earth, and had six saker guns and three smaller guns. Some of these images go back 1982 Tallship in Boston, the 200-year-old celebration for the U.S. Coast Guard, old photos and drawings of Park, June 2022 turnaround of USS Constitution with images and a video. Browse 772 fort independence boston stock photos and images available, or search for castle island to find more great stock photos and pictures. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The Fort was officially called Fort Adams until 1797, when President John Adams renamed it Fort Independence. There are a myriad of joggers/walkers, a great playground for kids, a causeway walk that loops around pleasure bay and finally Sully's. Due to its strategic location on Boston Harbor, this site has served as the home to military fortifications for hundreds of years.It is considered the "oldest fortified military site in British North America." ", "Nation Park Service Cultural Landscapes Inventory;" "A plan of Fort Independence,". Edgar Allan Poe gets the recognition he deserves in the afterlife. General Howe thought the British would be safe as he had a large navy, while the rebels had a tiny navy. Fort Independence, formerly known as Castle William, sits on top of Castle Island. Terrific walkways (great for rollerblading) Olmsted had originally envisioned a parkway to be known as the Dorchesterway that would connect Castle Island (via a new earthen causeway) to the rest of the Emerald Necklace. South Boston Event Type: Family friendly. [4] Re-built after it was abandoned by the British during the American Revolution, Castle William was renamed Fort Adams and then Fort Independence. [29], "Castle William" redirects here. Documenting the events of the day in his diary, British Lieutenant General Archibald Robertson wrote. [19] Colonel John Breck, namesake of Brecksville, Ohio, was the Commandant of Fort Independence during the War of 1812. [11], During the Revolutionary War, a fort called Fort Independence was built on Point Allerton in Hull. On 20 March 1776, near the end of the Siege of Boston, the British garrison opened fire on a Rebel work party on Dorchester Point. It's often easier to park along Day Blvd but no further than Shore Drive.You gan get there from the Mass Pike or 93 but if you are from out of town go 93 to Columbia Road exit (#15) and Columbia meets up with Day Boulevard at a lovely round-a-bout.Today you can visit the Fort, but this is a popular spot in Southie so it's great for people watching too. "Cultural Landscape Report for the Boston Harbor Islands," 86; Richard Frothingham, "History of the siege of Boston" (Boston: C. C. Little and J. A persistent, though mostly apocryphal, story involving Fort Independence was allegedly the inspiration behind one of Edgar Allan Poe's most well known works. Everybody tends to refer to it as Castle Island. The Fort was rebuilt and expanded by military engineerJean Foncin in 1803. This walkway that extends over two miles has provided a delightful walk ever since. Located on Castle Island, Fort Independence is one of the oldest continuously fortified sites of English origin in the United States. For a an online virtaul tour of the fort; For an Gallery of internal images of the fort; For a vidoe and images of the June 2022 USS Constitution turnaround; The Book Castle Island and Fort Independence by William J. Reid, https://www.castleisland8.com/fort-independence, https://www.nps.gov/places/fort-independence-castle-william.htm, https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/siege-of-boston/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Independence_(Massachusetts), History of Fort & Castle Island Boston, Ma. Only once in nearly 375 years, were the guns mounted at Castle Island fired in anger. In the 1880s, landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed a series of parkways and parks in Boston known as the Emerald Necklace. Howe burned down the Fort and destroyed most of its weaponry and ammunition as part of his gentleman agreed evacuation with Washington. [12], After it was evacuated, the fort was quickly re-built by American forces in 1776. In 1689, after the overthrow of King James II in England,BritishGovernor Edmund Androsfled to Castle Island.
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