Fort Entrance: A Trap For Invaders
Welcome! We invite you to take a virtual tour of the Fort. Our goal is to make this experience feel as close to a real weekend visit as we can. While seeing it in person truly shows off its beauty and breathtaking views, we hope this tour gives you a taste of what makes it special. Enjoy!
As you enter, you’ll hear the clanking metal and feel the intensity. This entrance is crucial; it acts as a strong barrier and is the only way into the Fort. Two sturdy doors and a sliding gate secure the space and keep intruders out. The granite walls have slots where you can shoot musket balls at anyone caught between the doors.
As you walk through the granite entrance, you’ll encounter a barrier. If the fort is open, a CIA volunteer will be there to greet you. This volunteer will let you know the time for the next guided tour and answer any questions you may have.
If the fort is closed to tours, you can walk up to the barrier and take any pictures you want. Please do NOT PASS through the barrier when the fort is closed.
When your tour starts, you will be directed to follow the walkway to the left. Your tour guide will introduce themselves and the backup tour guide. The guide will explain the tour rules and provide a quick introduction. Then, the guide will outline what you can expect during the next 35 to 50 minutes of the tour.
The tour does not currently include the two rooms shown above. However, the association occasionally uses them for different occasions. These rooms were part of the renovation completed in 1970.
Parade Grounds: A Vital Lifeline For The Defending Army
The Parade Grounds were once lively with training and marching. The Island’s soldiers obtained drinking water from 94-foot wells dug underground. During rain, they relied on a drainage system to keep the wells full. Being a self-sufficient island was crucial. It ensured the fort could support its troops, even during attacks.
Bakery That Baked Bread Everyday For 500 Soldiers
The Fort’s bakery was restored in the 1970s, and it still has its old charm. However, the bakery is not part of the walking tour of the fort.
In the picture below, you’ll see a mix of old and new bricks. The original brick floor, firebox, ash door, and vent damper all helped make amazing bread. These features were crucial during the Civil War when the bakery fed over 500 men. The kitchen staff sourced fresh produce from local gardens on the island. They also bought supplies from boats that came to the market. Local craftspeople sold their goods to people at the Fort right at the pier.
US Army private Ira S. Pettit noted in his 1862 diary, “New recruits enjoy the bread at the Fort, but they’re sad there’s no cake or pie.” Even though there were cows on the island, only high-ranking officers received milk for their coffee. So, Private Pettit had no milk for his coffee. Everyone else had to make do with water or rationed supplies from market boats.
Taken from Castle Island and Fort Independence a book by William J. Reid
Ramp: A Path To Power
Here the walking tour continues to the ramp and then up the ramp.
This ramp is the only entry point for wheeled vehicles to access the upper level. It features flags that represent different colonial militia units from that time, along with key fort flags. Together, these flags evoke a strong sense of American resilience.
The first flag is the Bedford Flag, the oldest known militia flag in U.S. history. This flag was carried by the Bedford Minuteman, Nathaniel Page, to the Concord Bridge on April 19, 1775.
The terms of the Minuteman enlistment paper to join the militia expressed a truth that resonated in every heart:
“We will, to the utmost of our powers and abilities, defend all and every one of our charter rights, liberties, and privileges; and all will hold ourselves in readiness at a minute’s warning, with arms and ammunition thus to do.”
Front IV
Take a moment to admire the beautiful view of Pleasure Bay and Dorchester Harbor from the ramparts. On your left, you can see the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the Dorchester Gas Tank, and the lovely Blue Hills Reservation. Each of these places tells a story from American history. If you turn right, you’ll notice the Old North Church Tower and the Bunker Hill Monument, two iconic landmarks that add to the charm of the skyline. Enjoy exploring!
Over ten thousand years before Europeans arrived, a Native American tribe lived in the Blue Hills area. They called themselves Massachusett, which means “people of the great hills.” They used some of the Boston Harbor Islands as their summer home for fishing, hunting, and leisure.
On the inside walls of the Fort, you’ll find over 100 flags on the upper levels, circling the Parade grounds. British flags from the colonial era flew around Boston Harbor and Boston Neck. Next, we display American flags. We start with the original 13-star Continental Colors from 1775. We’ll guide you through its journey: the struggle for independence, the birth of the United States, and the evolution to the modern 50-star American Flag.
Honoring The US Military at Front V
This section shows the flags of the six branches of the US military: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, the new US Space Force, and the Coast Guard. Next, we begin a collection of individual flags from each of the 50 states. The flags are displayed in the order the states joined the Union.
This is an 8-inch Civil War siege gun that was crucial for defending against infantry and small boats. With a range of 1,200 yards, it greatly affected the battlefield. About half of its shells hit within 50 yards of the target. This reflects the expertise of 19th-century artillery.
A team found this siege gun partly buried in a Boston cemetery; they then donated it to the CIA.
Bastion A Defending Boston’s Shores
To enter Bastion A, go down a short tunnel under a dirt bunker. This tunnel leads from the inner rampart to the outside battery. You’ll find two gun emplacements for 15-inch Rodman coast defense cannons. The original cannons are missing, but a replica remains to show their great power.
You can watch a video of the tunnel to the ramifications.
The troops had a big advantage. They were at the southeast corner of the fort. Plus, they were close to all the channels entering the Inner Harbor. It allowed them to closely track the Inner Harbor entrance for uninvited guests. Both guns had a clear view down the main ship channel. The cannon on the right could be adjusted manually to stop ships passing between Spectacle Island and Thompson Island. These guns could shoot a 400 lb cannonball about 3.5 miles. This shot could hit the Deer Island sewage plant. A crew of 15 men needed to load and fire it accurately within a five-minute reload time.
At the gun’s muzzle, you see a wide view from south to east.
This list includes the University of Massachusetts Boston, John F. Kennedy Library, Blue Hills, Squantum, Thompson Island, the northern edge of Moon Island, and Spectacle Island.
Traveling south to east, you can spot Spectacle Island, Long Island, Nix Mate, Lovells Island, and Calf Island. On clear days, you can also see the Boston Harbor Lighthouse. As you look north, you cross the North Channel and view Deer Island.
All ships entering Boston had to navigate the Narrow Shipping Channel. This channel lies between Gorges Island, Lovell Island, and Gallups Island. The authorities didn’t clear Broad Sound, known as the North Channel, until 1903.
The Walkway: A Soldier’s Perilous Path
Moving north along the Fort’s iron walkway, imagine a time when soldiers walked these same paths without the safety of modern railings. These steel additions were installed in the 1970s, allowing for safe tours. Before the rail was installed, a ladder was needed to enter this section and the following bastion.
Bastion B: The Watchful Guard
Like Bastion A, this stronghold has two Rodman 15-inch cannons that guard the vital Inner Boston Harbor and what was once Boston Neck.
Logan Airport, located on what used to be Governor’s Island, Apple Island, and Bird Island, has an interesting history! The military opened the airfield in 1923 and named it Military Airfield. Over time, it became known as Jeffery Field and saw exciting expansions in the 1950s, transforming into the Logan Airport we all recognize today. It’s also fascinating to note that Fort Warren was on Governor’s Island, right across from Fort Independence.
This great look going down the Main Channel to inner Boston harbor
McKay Monument Master Shipbuilder
This monument below honors Donald McKay, a remarkable shipbuilder who transformed maritime travel in 1845. He opened a shipyard in East Boston and spent over 25 years creating some of the fastest clipper ships ever built. With their sleek hulls and unique concave bows, these ships glided gracefully over the waves. McKay’s vessels featured large sails that enabled them to travel quickly. Although they could carry less cargo, their speed made them incredibly valuable. During the California Gold Rush and the booming trade with China, McKay’s innovative designs met the growing demand for fast ships. His contributions truly made a difference in maritime history!
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.
After leaving bastion B, we end the flag presentation with some flags from different islands under US control.
We then proceed to climb down steep steps to get back to the Parade grounds.
Parade Grounds
Here are two Parrot rifles. More detailed information can be found on my webpage https://fortindependence.org/cannons-and-mortar-civil-war/.
On some tours, you might be lucky enough to see and walk through the inside of the Fort, where 500 people lived during the Civil War.
Below are some pictures of what the living quarters look like. Few words can describe them better than the images or seeing them in person!
Thank you for joining our web tour! We hope you enjoyed exploring the webpage. We would love for you to experience the tour in person, and we would be excited to welcome you!
Importance of Fort Independence During the Civil War
During the Civil War, the area around Fort Point Channel was home to many foundries and machine shops, with the South Boston Iron Works being the most notable. This company had a proud history of forging cannons since the War of 1812. Throughout the Civil War, the factory worked tirelessly to meet the needs of the Union. Before battles, they carefully shipped the cannons to Castle Island for test-firing. This step ensured that the cannons were accurate and powerful, playing a crucial role in the Union’s defense. Fort Point Channel truly became an important part of 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 found at the Boston Public Library or purchased on online on amazom.com
https://www.masshist.org/object-of-the-month/objects/fort-independence-2005-06-01