Fort Mahan
See the Civil War Defenses of Washington Park Map web page for an interactive fort location map.
LOCATION
The National Park Service information panel for Fort Mahan is on Benning Road NE near the intersection with 41st Street. The area where the fort once was, Fort Mahan Park, has no designated parking lot. You can try parking in the Boys and Girls Club Community Center across the road or around the corner on 42nd Street.
National Park Service information panel for Fort Mahan
WHAT TO SEE
Fort Mahan Park is one of the most overgrown of all parks in the Civil War Defenses of Washington. The park consists of an isolated hill, so from the road you will definitely be walking uphill as you enter into the park. The National Park Service information panel states that remnants of the fort do exist.
A Hiker-Biker Trail, which is paved at this location, runs to the west along Benning Road and north along 42nd Street. I began my search for Fort Mahan by hiking the trail along Benning Road. This uphill path starts off paved, but once you enter into the forest it becomes dirt. You must continue on the dirt portion to see what are possibly the earthen walls of Fort Mahan.
Hiker-Biker Trail along Benning Road
I visited in May, so the vegetation was thick. There is no doubt that there are some large hills back in the woods, but they are completely covered with trees and other brush—no dirt can be seen—so it is impossible to say whether these are natural hills or the walls of Fort Mahan, though I’d lean towards fort walls. Furthermore, you’d have to be crazy to walk into that stuff due to the possibility of ticks and poison ivy.
Possible fort wall
After giving up hiking along Benning Road, I returned and followed the Hiker-Biker Trail around the corner and made my way up 42nd Street. Another website claims that earthworks can be seen from the road, but I could not find any definite remnants of the fort.
Half-way up 42nd Street is a clearing, and on the far side is a gate. If you pass through this gate, a trail leads to an old football field. This puts you more in the center of Fort Mahan Park and you can walk along the perimeter of the football field next to the forest. However, like the rest of the park, the vegetation is so thick that it is impossible to see anything. The clearing is as far as I ventured up 42nd Street before returning to my car. I suggest sticking to Benning Road, for though there is not much to see, it’s better than what you will find along 42nd Street.
Clearing on 42nd Street
HISTORY
Fort Mahan was built on an isolated hill for the purpose of protecting Benning’s Bridge, which spans the Anacostia River. Construction began in December 1861, but the engineers were never happy with the fort, and modifications were made throughout the war.
The fort was named after Dennis Mahan, a teacher at West Point who was one of the top military engineers of his time.
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Last updated on April 26, 2020
