History & Culture

Fort Washington and the surrounding grounds tell the story of America’s desire to defend the nation's capital, and mark changes in technology and techniques over the centuries. From 1808 to 1922, a series of new forts rose as military strategy and technology evolved from brick walls to concrete batteries and, finally, obsolescence.

While Fort Washington may be the marquee fortification, it is just one chapter in this area's long military history.

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When you cross the bridge and enter Fort Washington, you're stepping back in time to the 1800s!

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Timeline

1809-1814

Fort Warburton was the first fort built to defend the Potomac River approach to the national capital on these grounds. On August 24, 1814, British troops invaded Washington, DC, burning the Capitol and the White House, among other buildings. The next day British warships sailed up the Potomac headed for Alexandria. In the face of certain destruction of the fort, Capt. Samuel Dyson evacuated the garrison and demolished the fort so that it could not fall into British hands.

1814-1872

After Pierre L'Enfant's attempt to rebuild the fort in 1815 fizzled with his dismissal from the project, Lt. Col Walker Armistead, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, rebuilt and improved the fortification here, dubbed Fort Washington. Principal construction wrapped on October 2, 1824. Through the 1840s, major upgrades improved the fortification with new gun platforms and cannon, an improved powder magazine, and a caponniere to protect the fort's rear. Fort Washington defended the Potomac River approach to Washington, DC, during the Mexican War (1846-1848) and the American Civil War (1861-1865) as part of a ring of fortifications to defend the capital city. Fort Washington is the large fort structure you can visit today.

1890-1921

In the Endicott System of fortifications, new concrete and steel fortifications including Battery Decatur sprang up to modernize the defense of the Potomac River. They were part of the coast defense of the Potomac during the Spanish-American War and World War I. During World War I, the post was a staging area for troops being sent to France, including the 8th Provisional Artillery Battalion, which became the 53rd Railroad Artillery Regiment.

1921-1939

After World War I, the 3rd Battalion 12th Infantry moved in and became the ceremonial unit for the Military District of Washington. These soldiers participated in a variety of state functions: parades, ceremonies, and funerals. In 1939, the post was abandoned and turned over to the Director of Public Buildings for use as a terminal point for a bridge across the Potomac and a parkway to be built along the shore. But before that happened, World War II began.

1942-1946

The fort became an Adjutant General School, a training facility for Army officers in administration duties, in January 1942. The school trained 300 officers every 60 days. An attached Officer Candidate School produced 20 new officers every three months. The fort was also home to the 67th Women's Auxiliary Corps. Following the war, the grounds were used for public housing for a brief time. Most of the buildings from this period no longer exist.

1946-Today

The fort grounds were transferred to the U.S. Department of the Interior and then to the National Park Service. Now you can explore the historic area, enjoy a picnic, hike, or fish here!