FORT WASHINGTON MILITARY BUILDINGS
In addition to the fort and the artillery batteries at Fort Washington Park, there are four buildings that are still standing today that were used for military purposes up until the fort was decommissioned in 1946. One is now used as the park’s Visitor Center, while the others are not open to the public; two are in terrible condition. No wayside exhibits are at the sites, so their identities will remain a mystery to most visitors.
POST EXCHANGE / GYMNASIUM BUILDING
Photo of the PX building when it was in use (date unknown, from the NPS)
Two historical buildings are located down the second road on the left just after entering the park. The one at the very end of the road is the former post exchange and gymnasium. The building was constructed in the 1920s. The brick portion is in as good a condition as can be expected from a 100-year-old building, but all of the wood, particularly the portico, is near to collapse. There is nothing inside, and the building is closed to the public.
The PX and the Officers’ Quarters building just down the road are the only two buildings remaining from post-1900 Fort Washington. During World War II a number of buildings were constructed, but these were all removed when the base closed in 1946. There are plans to restore the two buildings, but there is no telling if and when this will ever happen.
PX and Gym building at Fort Washington Park in Maryland
Closer look as the porch of the PX and Gym building at Fort Washington Park in Maryland
BACHELOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS’ QUARTERS
Located on the same road as the PX is the Officers’ Quarters, a building used as housing for single, non-commissioned officers stationed at Fort Washington. It was built around 1900.
Noncommissioned Officers’ Quarters at Fort Washington Park in Maryland
COMMANDING OFFICER’S QUARTERS
The Commanding Officer’s Quarters building dates from the time Fort Washington was constructed, 1814-1824. Today it is used as the Fort Washington Park Visitor Center.
Commanding Officer’s Quarters is now the Visitor Center at Fort Washington Park
Old photo of the Commanding Officer’s Quarters (photo from the NPS)
TORPEDO STOREHOUSE
The torpedo storehouse was built in 1897, though it did not store torpedoes as we think of them today, as there certainly were no submarines stationed here. The word “torpedo” originally referred to what we now call mines. The Potomac River was laced with mines during war time, and they could be detonated electronically from batteries at Fort Washington.
Torpedo storage building at Fort Washington Park
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Last updated on November 21, 2024
