Commemorative marker for Fort Dupont
See the Civil War Defenses of Washington Park Map web page for an interactive fort location map.
LOCATION
Fort Dupont is located in Fort Dupont Park, one of the largest parks in Washington, stretching over 400 acres. Most of the park activities, which include picnicking and summer concerts, are held at the north end, but the fort is located at the south end near the entrance on Alabama Avenue between Burns Street and Massachusetts Avenue. There is a small picnic area here as well. You can park along Alabama Avenue or at the parking lot near the picnic area, which is the preferred choice.
WHAT TO SEE
The road into Fort Dupont Park is blocked off to vehicles just past the picnic area, but pedestrians can continue on the paved road as it loops around Fort Dupont. If walking in a clockwise direction, the fort is in the forest to your right. Remnants are easy to spot at various locations. A gully, which was the dry moat around the fort, can be found at the base of the man-made hills that were once the fort walls. At the north end of the loop is a large rock with a commemorative marker attached to it.
Dry moat at the base of the fort walls
People have beaten paths to the fort at two locations, one of which is near the commemorative marker.
Trail leading to Fort Dupont
Climb up and over the small hills and you will find yourself standing in the interior of Fort Dupont. Numerous trails crisscross the area. There is also a trail that runs along the top of the wall, allowing you to walk much of the perimeter from above. There is quite a lot of vegetation, so due to the possibility of poison ivy and ticks, I do not recommend rigorous exploration unless you have on long pants and have applied tick repellent.
Trail along the top of the fort wall
HISTORY
Construction on Fort Dupont started in October 1861 and was completed by the spring of 1862. The fort had six sides that were 100-feet long each. A dry moat was dug all the way around the perimeter. The fort never saw any action during the war and was abandoned once the fighting was over in 1865. In the 1930s, the U. S. government purchased the property for use as a recreational park.
Fort Dupont was named after Flag Officer Samuel Dupont, a commander during a Union naval victory at Port Royal, South Carolina, in November 1861.
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on April 26, 2020
