Fort Nonsense, part of Morristown National Historical Park

MORRISTOWN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK TOUR

STOP 2: FORT NONSENSE

Allow 15 minutes for a visit

Fort Nonsense is located near downtown Morristown and is the second stop on a tour of Morristown National Historical Park. There is nothing left of the fort, but this is the highest point in Morristown. Unfortunately, it’s not high enough. There used to be some nice views from here, but trees and other vegetation now block much of the view (at least when the leaves are on the trees).

View from Fort Nonsense at Morristown National Historical Park

While the main focus of Morristown National Historical Park is the Continental Army’s 1779-80 winter encampment during which time over one hundred men died, Fort Nonsense actually dates to the first winter of the American Revolution when troops also camped at Morristown. In the spring of 1777, General George Washington had his men build an earthen fort that included a guard house that could accommodate up to thirty men. Since the fort never saw any action, the locals began calling it Fort Nonsense, insisting that Washington had his men build it just to keep them busy. (Note: a stone marker placed in 1888 claims the fort was built in the winter of 1779-80. This is now known to be incorrect.)

Stone marker placed by the Washington Association of New Jersey in 1888 on the site of Fort Nonsense, Morristown National Historical Park

Archaeological evidence has pinpointed the location of the fort walls, and these are now outlined with stone.

Stones mark the position of Fort Nonsense’s earthen walls, Morristown National Historical Park

There are also seven wayside exhibits about the Fort Nonsense and two cannon on display.

Cannon and wayside exhibits at the site of Fort Nonsense, part of Morristown National Historical Park

Cannon at Fort Nonsense overlooks Morristown, Morristown National Historical Park

Unless you stay to have a picnic at one of three tables located at Fort Nonsense, plan to spend no more than fifteen minutes at the site.

Picnic tables at Fort Nonsense, Morristown National Historical Park

When finished, continue south on Western Avenue to the next stop on a tour of Morristown National Historical Park, the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center. The road changes names to Jockey Hollow Road once entering the Jockey Hollow Encampment Area unit of the park.

Next Stop: Jockey Hollow Visitor Center | Previous Stop: Washington’s Headquarters

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