Fort Independence, Boston, Massachusetts – Legends of America
Okay, history buffs and casual explorers, let’s talk about Fort Independence in Boston. This place isn’t just a pile of old rocks; it’s a landmark that has been around for a long, long time, watching the city grow and change. Perched atop Castle Island, it’s got a prime spot overlooking Boston Harbor. In fact, it’s considered the oldest fortified military site in British North America. That’s saying something!
The Very Beginning: Mud and Oysters
Back in 1634, Governor John Winthrop decided Boston needed some serious harbor defenses. So, he got Deputy Governor Roger Ludlow and Captain John Mason of Dorchester to build a fort on Castle Island. Now, this wasn’t exactly a high-tech operation. Think "castle with mud walls." They used oyster shell lime for the masonry (talk about resourcefulness!). This first version had three cannons to keep any unwanted visitors at bay. They called it "The Castle," and Captain Nicholas Simpkins was in charge.
But, like any DIY project, it didn’t last forever. By 1644, it was already falling apart. The arrival of a French warship (seeking help against other Frenchmen, no less) was the final straw. So, they rebuilt it with pine logs, stone, and earth, creating ten-foot walls around a 50-foot square. This time, it had six "saker" cannons (the hotshot cannons of the day) and three smaller guns. These saker guns could shoot five to six-pound balls over a mile!
Fire, Brimstone, and Political Intrigue
Disaster struck in 1673 when an accidental fire burned the whole thing down. Oops! But they didn’t give up. The next year, they rebuilt it in stone, with a whopping 38 guns and 16 long cannons in the main fort, plus six more in a water battery. These cannons were valued for their range, accuracy, and effectiveness, with a range of 1,800 feet.
Things got interesting in 1689 when British Governor Edmund Andros found himself in a bit of trouble. King James II had been overthrown in England, and Andros, who was trying to tighten the king’s control over New England, wasn’t exactly popular with the locals. He tried to enforce the Navigation Act, which basically told the colonies they could only trade with England. Not a great move. So, when things got heated, Andros hightailed it to Castle Island for safety. Eventually, he was confined in the fort and sent back to England for trial. Talk about drama!
Castle William and the March of Time
In 1692, they built a much bigger and better fort and named it Castle William, after King William II of England. This thing was a beast, with 54 cannons of various sizes.
Then, in 1701, Wolfgang William Romer, the top British engineer in the American colonies, redesigned the fort to have over 100 guns! He also added a complex system of outer defenses, so any enemy would have to get through three layers of fortifications to even get close. He added a lookout tower at the northeast corner to keep an eye on the harbor. And it kept the name Castle William.
Fast forward to 1740, and they added a fifth bastion with 20 more cannons. This fort was seriously armed!
Revolutionary Refuge
In the years leading up to the American Revolution, Castle William became a safe haven for British officials during all the unrest in Boston. After events like the Stamp Act crisis in 1765 and the Boston Massacre in 1770, provincial leaders and British soldiers would run to the fort for protection.
So, instead of protecting against foreign attacks, Castle William was now protecting British soldiers from angry colonists. After the Boston Massacre, Bostonians demanded that the British troops stationed in the city be moved to Castle William. And they stayed there for the next six years.
The Siege and a Gentleman’s Agreement
When the American Revolution finally kicked off in 1775, the British turned Castle William into their main stronghold. But things changed when General George Washington and the Continental Army fortified Dorchester Heights. Suddenly, the British were in a tough spot, and they decided to evacuate Boston in March 1776.
But before they left, they torched Castle William. As part of the evacuation, Commander Howe and American General George Washington had a "gentleman’s agreement" that the British could leave without being attacked if they didn’t destroy downtown Boston.
From Adams to Independence
After the British left, the Continental forces wasted no time rebuilding the fort into a star-shaped structure and renaming it Fort Adams. Lieutenant Colonel Paul Revere (yes, that Paul Revere) led the troops stationed there.
But, in 1785, the fort took an unexpected turn and became a prison. It served that purpose until 1805.
In the late 1790s, the federal government took over the fort, repaired it, and expanded it. In 1797, the name "Fort Adams" was given to another fort in Hull, leaving the old Castle William without a name. So, in 1799, during a ceremony attended by President John Adams, it was renamed Fort Independence. The next year, the US government took over the fortification of the island.
War of 1812 and Beyond
The fort got another upgrade in the early 1800s as part of a national fortification program. During the War of 1812, the British Navy blockaded Massachusetts, but they never dared to attack Boston because Fort Independence was so strong.
The granite fort you see today was built between 1833 and 1851, supervised by Colonel Sylvanus Thayer. The walls were 30 feet high and 5.5 feet thick. By 1848, it was mostly done, although there were still repairs and other work to do until 1862.
During the Civil War, Fort Independence was garrisoned by the Fourth Battalion of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. At its peak, it had 96 cannons, including some massive 15-inch Rodman guns that could fire a 450-pound shot over three miles!
From Island to Park
After the Civil War, Fort Independence became less important. In 1890, the federal government gave Castle Island (except for the fort) to Massachusetts. The city started filling in the marshes that separated Castle Island from South Boston to create parks and walkways.
The federal government took back Castle Island briefly during the Spanish-American War in 1898, but quickly gave it back to Boston in 1899.
In 1908, the federal government gave the fort to the city of Boston.
During World War I, the military took control of Fort Independence again, using it as a depot for small arms ammunition.
By the 1920s, the marshes had been filled in so much that Castle Island was no longer an island.
During World War II, the military used it for anti-aircraft guns and as a de-magnetizing station for ship hulls.
In 1959, the Metropolitan District Commission built a walkway with an opening to control the tides in Pleasure Bay. This walkway extends over two miles and has been a popular spot for walks ever since.
A Historic Landmark
In 1962, the federal government permanently gave Castle Island and Fort Independence to Massachusetts. Today, they are managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Castle Island Association.
Fort Independence was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Today, Fort Independence is part of a state park on Castle Island. During the warmer months, the Castle Island Association provides free tours and fires ceremonial salutes. Throughout its long history, Fort Independence has never fired a shot in anger.
So, if you’re ever in Boston, take a stroll out to Castle Island and check out Fort Independence. It’s a fascinating piece of history and a great place to enjoy the harbor views!