The fort totten neighborhood in northeast washington is one of the safer areas in that part of town. Fort totten, part of the civil war defenses of washington, was constructed between 1861 and 1863. 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. Fort totten riggs park is home to approximately 10,960 people and 1,785 jobs. 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.
Fort totten homes in washington, dc available homes in. Historical sites near fort totten modern at art place. It occupied a high point in advance of the soldiers home or military asylum, presidents lincoln summer home. Fort stevens is one of the defenses that today form the fort circle parks in washington, d. By 1865, washington dc was one of the most heavily fortified cities in the world. The soldiers enforced the peace, guarded overland transportation routes, and aided dakota sioux who lived near devils lake after 1867. 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. What they may not realize is that its a legitimate neighborhood. Built in 1863 from the custislee estate, one of 70 defensive civil war fortifications of the capital, this historic us army post was known as fort whipple. Fort stevens washington dc 2020 all you need to know before.
They are beautiful sites to visit and pay tribute to american war heroes. Fort tottenriggs park, washington, dc, dc townhouses for. This unsung story finds scant attention today in history books or at the various parks preserving. The earthworks of the main fort are still clearly visible today. Briefly became the territory of columbia in 1874 1876. She is also the author of several books covering the capital and midatlantic regions. On january 5th, 1891 the former post became the property of the bureau of indian affairs. Then and now pictures of the civil war defenses of washington.
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. Overlooking washington, dc, fort myer holds a commanding view of americas capital. Although early caused consternation in the union government, reinforcements under. The civil war defenses of washington were a group of union army fortifications that protected the federal capital city, washington, d. Useworn, punchholed in left margin, rubberstamped on verso to indicate sheet numbers. Officers of companies a and b, 3rd massachusetts heavy artillery, before quarters at fort totten defense of washington district of columbia, august 1865. Nov 11, 2018 headquarters chief engineers of defenses, washington, october 14, 1863. As the capital of the united states, defending the city and the district of columbia which were not coterminous at the time became a major priority of the war department, and often dictated military strategy. 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. Mar 02, 2010 the civil war defenses of washington were an important site in african american history. Fort totten washington dc us historical marker project. Construction of the fort began in 1861 as a part of the ring of forts built around washington d. 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. The first day at gettysburg, july 1, 1863 by chris mackowski, daniel t.
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. These strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the worlds most fortified cities. Washingtons civil war defenses and the battle of fort stevens. This site was first named willets point, but later renamed for general joseph totten who died in washington, dc in 1864. Headquarters chief engineers of defenses, washington, october 14, 1863. A guide to the civil war defenses of washington by benjamin franklin cooling iii and walton h. The fort is named for joseph gilbert totten, a general in the war of 1812. In many ways, the war transformed washington from a. Serve by the fort totten metro station, this area is easy to get into and out of.
While there have been number robberies in recent weeks, there have been reports of violent crime. See more ideas about war, american civil war and civil war photos. Home dc civil war forts civil war defenses of washington. 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. Rock creek park administers battery kemble, fort bayard, fort reno, fort derussy, fort stevens, fort slocum, fort totten and fort bunker hill. A 27year teacher in dc public schools and current teacher in prince georges. Now this park is home to natural recreational trails.
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. When the first shots of the civil war were fired in 1861, washington, d. Fort stevens and fort ward commemorate the 150th anniversary of the. See more ideas about american civil war, civil war photos and washington dc. 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. Rachel cooper is a travel writer who has lived in the washington, d. Rock creek church road exists today but im unsure if any road existed by that name when the fort was in primary use. State historical society of north dakota fort totten. Heavily armed with massive cannon that could hurl 100pound projectiles several miles, fort totten halted the eastward advance of confederate. A civil war battle took place in the heart of washington, d. Located close to silver springs, md this fort was used by union army fighting to protect washington dc. At the outbreak of the civil war in the spring of 1861, washington, d.
Fort totten, district of columbia historical markers the. Fort dupont park was one of several historic sites that defended washington, d. This wellresearched and detailed text is supplemented by scores of remarkable photographs, technical drawings, and maps. Officers and men, 3d regiment massachusetts heavy artillery by columbiad guns, fort totten. 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.
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. 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. Read between the lines of the subway map to find the hidden abandoned civil war fort. 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. Its one thing to read books about the civil war or look at uniforms in glass cases.
Civil war fort fort totten was a mediumsized fort, a sevensided polygon with a perimeter of 270 yards. 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. 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. It was located in washington about three miles north of the capitol, close to silver spring, maryland. The dc public library is the place for books in our city. Washingtons civil war defenses and the battle of fort. When the first shots of the civil war were fired in 1861, washington, dc, was a small, essentially southern city. Check out news about the base, its history and photos of the base and many of its residents over the years. The united states colored troops were attached to several of the fortifications throughout dc. For many in the washington area, fort totten is a way to get somewhere else, a barely noticed midpoint in their regular commute. Totten the fort contained 20 guns and mortars including eight 32pounders. All are named for longtime general joseph gilbert totten, the chief engineer of the antebellum united states army. 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. 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.
At the time, the area was very rural and sparsely populated washington county, district of columbia, a separate entity from washington city and georgetown. Fort stevens was the site of a critical battle during confederate lt. Fort totten was a union army defensive earthwork, built during the civil war and named for joseph totten. See photos, current prices, floor plans, and details for 145 apartments in fort totten, washington, district of columbia. Fort dupont park is a popular place for picnics, nature walks, gardening. 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. After the war, some of the forts like fort reno became a freetown for freed slaves. Initially, the fort policed the surrounding reservation. For more information about fort totten and the defenses of washington, i recommend mr. Fort totten riggs park is a moderately walkable neighborhood in washington, dc with a walk score of 67. 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. Download image of washington, district of columbia. Fort totten bayside 2020 all you need to know before. 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.
The neighborhood is within very close proximity to catholic university, armed forces retirement home, rock creek cemetery, president lincolns cottage and soldiers home cemetery. Forgotten forts series fort totten american civil war. Fort totten park is a civil war memorial on the site of a union fort. Construction of fort totten began in august 1861, and was finished by 1863. By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled washington, dc.
The neighborhood takes its name from the civil war fort located at the top of the hill. After the disaster of the first battle of manassas, the government realized that the city of washington, dc was in grave danger. 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. Please take the opportunity to hear from your civic association, developers and elected representatives about the housing and retail planned for fort totten. Fort totten was an earthern fort located on the north side of washington d. Construction on the fort began in august 1861 and was completed in 1863. Next, see the site of the first civil war casualties and fort ward. Historical for its fort named after james totten during the civil war. Georgetown and washington city were separate political entities until 1871. Some of the forts are used today as community centers.
The battle of fort stevens was an american civil war battle fought july 1112, 1864, in northwest washington, d. Civil war defenses of washington nps historic resource study washington, dc civil war defense system fort wiki 1861 1866. Visit fort stevens where president lincoln came under fire from general jubal earlys confederate forces. Fort totten state historic site state historical society. If you lived on, worked on, or visited fort totten the one in bayside queens new york city, stop on in. Washington city consolidated with washington county in 1878. 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 is a park and neighborhood in northeast washington, d. Oct 05, 20 i grew up less than three miles from the site of fort totten. It was built up during the fall of 1861, as part of the defense of washington, d. You can find this park less than 10 minutes from the modern. On forested hills surrounding the nations capital are the remnants of a complex system of civil war fortifications. Civil war defenses of washington american battlefield trust.
Located in the middle of fort totten park, this station provides walking access, metrobus and bikeshare connections to the manor park and riggs park neighborhoods. The lamond riggs civic association and the dc public library invite the fort totten community to an informational meeting on whats developing in ft. 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. Fort totten state historic site state historical society of. Therefore, one might describe it as the best among the worst. A guide to the civil war defenses of washingtonnew edition is a comprehensive account of the union defenses that protected washington, d. And a friendly childrens librarian is there to help kids discover books that they will love.
Ecw series dont give an inch by chris mackowski, kristopher d. Enjoy round trip transportation and lunch as you discover civil war heritage in the national capital region. The civil war defenses of washington were an important site in african american history. The fort stevens commemoration is held annually by the national park service on the saturday nearest the dates of the battle that occurred july 1112, 1864. Officers and men of company f, 3rd massachusetts heavy artillery in fort stevens defense of washington district of columbia, august 1865. Fort totten guide, moving to washington streetadvisor. Union soldiers at fort stevens during the civil war. For more information and the brochure civil war defenses of washington, contact. The library offers booklists by grade, video story books, audio books, music, videos, ebooks, story times, and special events. Fort totten homes in washington, dc available homes in fort.
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