Fort Entrance: A Trap For Invaders
On this web page, you will tour inside the Fort. Of course, it is always better to see the tour in person!
As you step inside, imagine the sound of clanking metal and the tension of battle. This entrance wasn’t just a doorway—it was a carefully designed trap. Two heavy doors and a sliding metal gate could be sealed shut, trapping the invading soldiers inside. Hidden within the granite walls are cutouts from where soldiers could fire at anyone trapped inside these now-locked doors.
Upon entering and turning left, you’ll pass through the first door into the Fort. This area, once a living quarters for officers and their families, underwent renovation in 1976, bringing some modern upgrades while preserving its historic charm. . Next, step into the Model Room, where great donated models and pictures provide a glimpse into the Fort’s storied past.
Parade Grounds: A Vital Lifeline For The Defending Army
The vast Parade Grounds were once a crucial hub of activity. Deep below, 94 foot wells provided “clear drinking water” to those stationed on the Island. This self-suffieciency well was critical to survival, ensuring the fort could sustain its troops even under siege.
Bakery That Baked Bread Everyday For 500 Soldiers
Restored to its original conditionin the 1970s, the Fort’s bakery is tribute to its past.
The image below shows the existing and new brickwork, the original brick floor, a firebox, an ash door, and a vent damper to control oven temperature to bake bread of the best quality. This daily staple fed over 500 men during the Civil War. The regular mess used goods from local gardens on the Island, and through purchases from the “market boats,” civilian crafts were allowed to use the pier to sell supplies to the garrison.
In 1862,Ira S. Pettit, a US Army private wrote in his diary, “The young recruit speaks very highly of the bread baked at the Fort, but laments there was ‘no cake or pie.’” Despite having cows on the Island, only high-ranking offices were allowed milk for their coffee. The rest had to make do with water or rationed supplies from the passing market boats.
Taken from Castle Island and Fort Independence a book by William J. Reid
Ramp: A Path To Power
This ramp, the only access point for wheeled vehicles is lined with flags of various colonial militia units and those bearing a particular significance to the Fort, telling a story of American resilience.
Among them is the Bedford Flag, the oldest known militia flag in the US history. It was the flag carried by the Bedford Minuteman, Nathaniel Page, to the Concord Bridge on April 19, 1775.
Front IV
Standing atop the ramparts, you’re greeting by a breathtaking view of Pleasure Bay and Dorchester Harbor. If you continue to look left, you can see John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Dorchester Gas Tank, and Blue Hills Reservation paint a skyline rich in American history. To the right, you can see the Old North Church Tower and Bunker Hill monument.
More than ten thousand years before the Europeans arrived, Native Americans made the Blue Hills area their home. The natives referred to themselves as Massachusett, or “people of the great hills.”
On the inside wall of the Fort on the upper levels, we have over 100 Flags. We start with the presentation of British flags in the colonial days. The evolution of the American Flag, beginning with the 13-star Continental Colors in 1775, tracing its journey from the colonial struggle through the formation of the United States, finishing with the 50-star American Flag,
A brief history of Blue Hills: More than ten thousand years before the Europeans arrived, Native Americans made the Blue Hills area their home. The natives referred to themselves as Massachusett, or “people of the great hills.”
Honoring The US Military at Front V
This section proudly displays the flags of the six branches of the US military: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and the newly established US Space Force. Beyond these, a collection of individual flags of the 50 states wave in the order they joined the Union.
Pictured below is an 8-inch Civil War siege gun with an impressive range of 1,200 yards. During the battle, approximately half of its shells would land within a 50-yard radius of the target—a testament to the 19th Century atillery precision.
Bastion A Defending Boston’s Shores
To enter Bastion A, descend through a short tunnel beneath a protective dirt bunker. This tunnel takes you from the inner rampart to the external battery. You will then see two-gun emplacements for two 15-inch Rodman coast defense cannons. The original cannons are gone, a replica stands as a reminder of their immense power.
You can watch a video of the tunnel to the ramifications.
Their positioning gave the troops a sweeping view of the Inner Harbor Entrance to prevent any ships from sneaking in. Both guns had a perfect line of sight of any vessel coming straight down the main ship channel, and the cannon on the right side could also prevent ships from coming up between Spectacle Island and Thompson Island by sneaking around Long Island.
Up at the gun’s muzzle, you get a sweeping panoramic view from south to east: University of Massachusetts Boston, John F Kennedy Library, Blue Hills, Squantum, Thompson Island, the northern edge of Moon Island, and Spectacle Island.
The Walkway: A Soldier’s Perilous Path
Moving north along the Fort’s iron walkway, imaging a time when soldiers walked these same paths without the safety of modern railing. Installed during the 1970s, these steel additions contrast with the harrowing experiences of those who once patrolled this parameter.
Here is where the presentation of the 50 state flags finally ends. Hawaii and Alaska were the last states to join the Union in 1959. Next to them, flags of the US territories wave, representing America’s reach far beyond the mainland.
Bastion B: The Watchful Guard
Like Bastion A, this stronghold houses two Rodman 15-inch cannons, guarding the vital Inner Boston Harbor and what was once Boston Neck.
In the immediate foreground is Logan Airport on what used to be Governor’s Island, Apple Island, and Bird Island. The airfield opened in 1923 as Miltary Airfield and was called Jeffery Field and was expanded in 1949 to become the Logan Airport that we know today.
This great look going down the Main Channel to inner Boston harbor
McKay Monument Master Shipbuilder
Honoring Donald, McKay this monument pays tribute to the famed shipbuilder who revolutionized maritime travel. He established a shipyard in East Boston that made some of the fastest clipper ships in history for over 25 years. They were designed for speed, featureing a narrow hull and a concave bow that rode over the waves without plowing through them. McKay’s ships always carried a generous sail plan to power the ship.
The cargo capacity of the clippers was limited, but their speed made the vessels economically viable. The California Gold Rush and trade with China intensified this quest for speed, and McKay met this demand with his innovative ships.
For more information, here is a link to the Museum of Fine Arts with a model and facts about his state-of-the-art ship, the Flying Cloud.
Importance of Fort Independence During the Civil War
During this period, the Civil War, many foundries and machine shops were located along Fort Point Channel; the most important was the South Boston Iron Works. This company had been forging cannons since the War of 1812; they went on a 7-day, 24-hour work spree during the Civil War.
Before being sent into battle, these cannons were brought to Castle Island for test-firing, ensuring accuracy and power. This process was crucial to the Union’s defense, making the Fort a key player in the war effort.
To see images going back to 1940, check out the Archive Gallery,
Resources used for this Article:
Castle Island and Fort Independence book by William Reid
This book can be borrowed at the Boston Public Library or purchased through the Castle Island Association
https://www.masshist.org/object-of-the-month/objects/fort-independence-2005-06-01