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Visit a section of river between Wilson Bridge and Colonial Farm...
Jones Point Lighthouse
Fort Foote
Dyke Marsh
Fort Washington
National Colonial Farm
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Directly upstream of the Piscataway Park, Fort Washington National Historical Park includes the site of the first fort built to protect the National Capital. The site occupies a high point on a bend in the Potomac, with excellent views both up and down the river. The site was recommended by George Washington for the new city's defense, but was not purchased for fortifications until 1808. The early fort was inadequate. During the War of 1812, it was taken by the British without a shot during their 1814 raid on Washington.
On August 19, 1814, British forces landed at Benedict, Md., a town on the nearby Patuxent River. They marched to Washington, through Bladensburg, and burned the Capitol, the White House, and other buildings. The following day, the British navy sent warships directly up the Potomac, headed for Alexandria. U.S. Captain Samuel Dyson realized that his fort would be inadequate for the coming battle, so he evacuated his men and used the munitions at the fort to destroy it, rather than turn it over to the British. Work on the present fort began soon after the earlier fort was destroyed, but was halted during a dispute between the fort's designer, Pierre L'Enfant, and the Army. By the mid-1800s, the fort was completed, and faced a new challenge: it was the only Civil War defense on the Potomac between Washington and Virginia.
The present fort is an excellent example of Civil War fortifications. In 1872, after the war, Army engineers constructed new gun positions, with eight concrete batteries. These were fitted with 10-inch rifles and 12-inch mortars. Similar installations were built directly across the Potomac. In 1921, as military technology advanced, the fort was no longer needed for defense, and became a headquarters of the 12th Infantry. During World War II, the fort was used for training officers. In 1946, it became a part of the National Park Service and was preserved.
The Fort Washington Lighthouse was first built in 1857 at the wharf below the fort, and later moved to higher ground to improve visibility. The flashing red light is the only operational lighthouse on the Potomac, one of four remaining structures that housed lights.
A 341-acre park surrounds the fort, and includes picnic sites and recreational areas. Reservations and permits are required for picnics at some areas. The fort and visitor center are open every day except January 1 and December 25. On most weekends, volunteers are dressed in authentic Civil War attire. Special events are scheduled throughout the summer featuring torchlight tours. From March through mid-November, a fee is charged for vehicles entering the area.
Fort Washington, National Capital Parks East, 13551 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744. Telephone: 301-763-4600. For reservations and permits, call 301-433-1190.
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