Fort totten was a union army defensive earthwork, built during the civil war and named for joseph totten. These strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the worlds most fortified cities. Enter part or all of any address in the district of columbia to. It was built in 1861 and completed in 1863 to provide protection to the capital during the civil war. Fort dupont park was one of several historic sites that defended washington, d. See more ideas about american civil war, civil war photos and washington dc. Fort totten bayside 2020 all you need to know before. Overlooking washington, dc, fort myer holds a commanding view of americas capital. Please take the opportunity to hear from your civic association, developers and elected representatives about the housing and retail planned for fort totten. A 27year teacher in dc public schools and current teacher in prince georges. For more information about fort totten and the defenses of washington, i recommend mr. The construction of the fort began in 1862, with the idea that it will be used in defending the eastern approach to new york harbor. Historical for its fort named after james totten during the civil war. Briefly became the territory of columbia in 1874 1876.
Some of the forts are used today as community centers. Fort totten, part of the civil war defenses of washington, was constructed between 1861 and 1863. It was located in washington about three miles north of the capitol, close to silver spring, maryland. Mar 02, 2010 the civil war defenses of washington were an important site in african american history. At the outbreak of the civil war in the spring of 1861, washington, d.
Fort totten park is a civil war memorial on the site of a union fort. Historical sites near fort totten modern at art place. See photos, current prices, floor plans, and details for 145 apartments in fort totten, washington, district of columbia. The fort totten neighborhood in northeast washington is one of the safer areas in that part of town. Forgotten forts series fort totten american civil war. Located on the southeastern edge of the town of fort totten, this site preserves a military post built in 1867 and used continuously as a military reservation until 1890 when it became a boarding school for indian children. Then and now pictures of the civil war defenses of washington. When the first shots of the civil war were fired in 1861, washington, d. Fort totten, district of columbia historical markers the.
On this 6 hour tour, immerse yourself in washington civil war history with an intimate group of 2 5 people. According to the report of the armys official engineer, her defenses boasted 68 enclosed forts with 807 mounted cannon and 93 mortars, 93 unarmed batteries with 401 emplacements for field guns and 20 miles of rifle trenches plus three blockhouses. According to the report of the armys official engineer, her defenses boasted 68 enclosed forts with 807 mounted cannon and 93 mortars, 93 unarmed batteries with 401 emplacements for field guns and 20 miles of rifle trenches plus three. Fort stevens was only one piece of washingtons civil war ring of defenses, some of which have given their names to metro stations and popular parks, including fort reno, fort totten and fort. All are named for longtime general joseph gilbert totten, the chief engineer of the antebellum united states army. Construction of fort totten began in august 1861, and was finished by 1863. It was built up during the fall of 1861, as part of the defense of washington, d. The department of public works will provide district residents with up to five 32gallon bags bring your own bags of free compost weekdays, 1 pm to 5 pm, and saturdays 8 am to 3 pm, at the ft. This was the only civil war battle that occurred in the nations capital and the only time in the nations history that a sitting president lincoln has come under direct enemy fire the battle engaged other civil war defenses. Rachel cooper is a travel writer who has lived in the washington, d. The civil war in washington dc tour is is a cant miss journey for civil war buffs or those with an interest in 19th century military history.
This was the only civil war battle that occurred in the nations capital and the only time in the nations history that a sitting president lincoln has come under direct enemy fire the battle engaged. Fort tottenriggs park, washington, dc, dc townhouses for. Fort totten state historic site state historical society. The fort saw action during the battle of fort stevens in july 1864 and is one of 17 sites preserved and managed by the national park service. Nov 11, 2018 headquarters chief engineers of defenses, washington, october 14, 1863. This site was first named willets point, but later renamed for general joseph totten who died in washington, dc in 1864. In many ways, the war transformed washington from a. Fort stevens was the site of a critical battle during confederate lt. If you lived on, worked on, or visited fort totten the one in bayside queens new york city, stop on in. Its one thing to read books about the civil war or look at uniforms in glass cases. The dc public library is the place for books in our city. Located close to silver springs, md this fort was used by union army fighting to protect washington dc.
See all available fort totten listings below, or contact us for a list that fits your needs a neighborhood whose origins are intricately linked to the civil war, fort tottens name comes from the eponymous defensive post built to protect d. See more ideas about war, american civil war and civil war photos. Fort totten state historic site state historical society of. Fort dupont park is a popular place for picnics, nature walks, gardening.
And a friendly childrens librarian is there to help kids discover books that they will love. While there have been number robberies in recent weeks, there have been reports of violent crime. The civil war defenses of washington were an important site in african american history. Although early caused consternation in the union government, reinforcements under. Fort stevens and fort ward commemorate the 150th anniversary of the.
At the time, the area was very rural and sparsely populated washington county, district of columbia, a separate entity from washington city and georgetown. A civil war battle took place in the heart of washington, d. This park, located along the cross island parkway off totten avenue between. Totten the fort contained 20 guns and mortars including eight 32pounders. Washingtons civil war defenses and the battle of fort stevens.
Fort totten riggs park is a moderately walkable neighborhood in washington, dc with a walk score of 67. Enjoy round trip transportation and lunch as you discover civil war heritage in the national capital region. A guide to the civil war defenses of washingtonnew edition is a comprehensive account of the union defenses that protected washington, d. According to the report of the armys official engineer, her defenses boasted 68 enclosed forts with 807 mounted cannon and 93 mortars, 93 unarmed batteries with 401 emplacements for field guns and 20 miles of rifle. Home dc civil war forts civil war defenses of washington. Fort stevens is one of the defenses that today form the fort circle parks in washington, d. Fort tejon state historical park ca fort totten dc fort towson ok fort ward va fort warren ma fort washita and its generals ghost forts of the southwest john browns fort new fort union co the civil war defenses of washington, d. Civil war defenses of washington nps historic resource study washington, dc civil war defense system fort wiki 1861 1866. Civil war fort fort totten was a mediumsized fort, a sevensided polygon with a perimeter of 270 yards. Washington city consolidated with washington county in 1878. Therefore, one might describe it as the best among the worst. Today, there are no remains of the actual fort, but the 376acre site is one of the citys largest parks and protects an important subwatershed of the anacostia river. Fort stevens washington dc 2020 all you need to know before. Fort totten washington dc us historical marker project.
The neighborhood is within very close proximity to catholic university, armed forces retirement home, rock creek cemetery, president lincolns cottage and soldiers home cemetery. Fort totten homes in washington, dc available homes in. For more information and the brochure civil war defenses of washington, contact. It occupied a high point in advance of the soldiers home or military asylum, presidents lincoln summer home. Read between the lines of the subway map to find the hidden abandoned civil war fort. The earthworks of the main fort are still clearly visible today. Construction on the fort began in august 1861 and was completed in 1863. Construction of the fort began in 1861 as a part of the ring of forts built around washington d. Union soldiers at fort stevens during the civil war. Washingtons civil war defenses and the battle of fort. What they may not realize is that its a legitimate neighborhood. Oct 05, 20 i grew up less than three miles from the site of fort totten. Rock creek park administers battery kemble, fort bayard, fort reno, fort derussy, fort stevens, fort slocum, fort totten and fort bunker hill. You can find this park less than 10 minutes from the modern.
The neighborhood takes its name from the civil war fort located at the top of the hill. The united states colored troops were attached to several of the fortifications throughout dc. Tomorrow, february 9th, you can join join the civil war defenses of washington for a tour of fort totten, one of 68 major forts that encircled washington dc during the civil war. This unsung story finds scant attention today in history books or at the various parks preserving. Visit fort stevens where president lincoln came under fire from general jubal earlys confederate forces. Fort totten riggs park is home to approximately 10,960 people and 1,785 jobs.
A commission having been ordered by you a year ago, to examine into the system of the defenses of washington, and that report having received your approval, i feel it proper to make a brief statement of teh operations on the works. Headquarters chief engineers of defenses, washington, october 14, 1863. Officers of companies a and b, 3rd massachusetts heavy artillery, before quarters at fort totten defense of washington district of columbia, august 1865. This wellresearched and detailed text is supplemented by scores of remarkable photographs, technical drawings, and maps. Fort totten guide, moving to washington streetadvisor. The civil war defenses of washington were a group of union army fortifications that protected the federal capital city, washington, d. After the war, some of the forts like fort reno became a freetown for freed slaves. As a result, a new series of forts, batteries, rifle trenches and other installations surrounding the city and extending across the potomac into virginia was begun. For many in the washington area, fort totten is a way to get somewhere else, a barely noticed midpoint in their regular commute. Confederate states of america america civil warsusan sullivanus historyamerican historytoday in history. The battle of fort stevens was an american civil war battle fought july 1112, 1864, in northwest washington, d. They are beautiful sites to visit and pay tribute to american war heroes.
Georgetown and washington city were separate political entities until 1871. Heavily armed with massive cannon that could hurl 100pound projectiles several miles, fort totten halted the eastward advance of confederate. She is also the author of several books covering the capital and midatlantic regions. Jul 10, 2014 fort stevens was only one piece of washingtons civil war ring of defenses, some of which have given their names to metro stations and popular parks, including fort reno, fort totten and fort. Fort totten was an earthern fort located on the north side of washington d. The first day at gettysburg, july 1, 1863 by chris mackowski, daniel t. When the first shots of the civil war were fired in 1861, washington, dc, was a small, essentially southern city. On january 5th, 1891 the former post became the property of the bureau of indian affairs. By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled washington, dc. The soldiers enforced the peace, guarded overland transportation routes, and aided dakota sioux who lived near devils lake after 1867. Officers and men of company f, 3rd massachusetts heavy artillery in fort stevens defense of washington district of columbia, august 1865. Built in 1861 and named after brigadier general joseph gilbert totten, chief of the army corps of engineers, fort totten commanded the northeastern countryside of washington, dc during the civil war. By 1865, washington dc was one of the most heavily fortified cities in the world. Visit fort stevens, the lincoln cottage, the lee mansion at arlington, and robert e.
An indepth account of the civil war people and events that left their mark on the city at the heart of the union, shaping its historic legacy. This was the only civil war battle that occurred in the nations capital and the only time in the nations history that a sitting president lincoln has come under direct enemy fire. In addition to houses in fort totten riggs park, there was also 1 condo, 17 townhouses, and 1 multifamily unit for sale in fort totten riggs park last month. The capital rapidly transformed as it prepared for invasionarmy camps sprung up in foggy bottom, the navy yard on anacostia was a beehive of activity and even the capitol was pressed into service as a barracks. Fort totten homes in washington, dc available homes in fort. Officers and men, 3d regiment massachusetts heavy artillery by columbiad guns, fort totten. The lamond riggs civic association and the dc public library invite the fort totten community to an informational meeting on whats developing in ft. The fort is named for joseph gilbert totten, a general in the war of 1812. On forested hills surrounding the nations capital are the remnants of a complex system of civil war fortifications. Ecw series dont give an inch by chris mackowski, kristopher d. State historical society of north dakota fort totten.
Useworn, punchholed in left margin, rubberstamped on verso to indicate sheet numbers. After the disaster of the first battle of manassas, the government realized that the city of washington, dc was in grave danger. Next, see the site of the first civil war casualties and fort ward. A guide to the civil war defenses of washington by benjamin franklin cooling iii and walton h. Fort totten is a park and neighborhood in northeast washington, d. District of columbia washington, fort totten fort totten one of the civil war defenses of washington construction of fort totten was begun in august 1861, named after gen. A commission having been ordered by you a year ago, to examine into the system of the defenses of washington, and that report having received your approval, i feel it proper. Now this park is home to natural recreational trails.
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