Fort Pickering | |
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| Location | Winter Island,Salem, Massachusetts |
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| Coordinates | 42°31′37″N70°52′2″W / 42.52694°N 70.86722°W /42.52694; -70.86722 |
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1643 |
| Part of | Winter Island Historic District and Archeological District |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000320[1] |
| Added to NRHP | February 8, 1973 |
Fort Pickering is a 17th-century historic fort site onWinter Island inSalem, Massachusetts. Fort Pickering operated as a strategic coastal defense and military barracks forSalem Harbor during a variety of periods, serving as a fortification from theAnglo-Dutch Wars throughWorld War II. Construction of the original fort began in 1643 and it saw use as a military installation into the 20th century.Fort Miller (Fort Darby prior to the Civil War) inMarblehead also defended Salem's harbor from the 1630s through the American Civil War. Fort Pickering is aFirst System fortification named for ColonelTimothy Pickering, born in Salem,adjutant general of the Continental Army andsecretary of war in 1795.[2] Today, the remains of the fort are open to the public as part of the Winter Island Maritime Park, operated by the City of Salem.
Winter Island at the time of English settlement in the early 17th century was an island separated from the mainland, held as common land by the Proprietors and used as a fortification and for fishing activities.[3][full citation needed] In 1643Fort William was begun on the island.[2]
Circa 1702, duringQueen Anne's War, Fort William was renamedFort Anne (for thenQueen Anne), and was rebuilt around 1706 under the direction of theRoyal Engineers, who were earlier sent by KingWilliam III to fortify the colonies.[4][full citation needed] It is unclear how much was accomplished, as a debate on whether the town or the province should fund the rebuilding lasted past 1711, when the war ended for the American colonies. In 1735 theMassachusetts General Court provided 600pounds to rebuild the fort to hold 15 guns.[2] It was rebuilt again by the town and known asFort Number Two inPatriot hands during theAmerican Revolutionary War.[2][5]
In 1794, the City of Salem ceded the fort to the federal government and a new fort was constructed in its place, part of thefirst system of U.S. fortifications. The 1794 U.S. Army report on fortifications called for the fort to have eight artillery pieces, ablockhouse, and amagazine. The fort's garrison was proposed to consist of one officer and 22 enlisted men.[6]
Major repairs to the fort were conducted in 1796 and a restoration in 1799. Later in 1799 it was renamed Fort Pickering in honor of Timothy Pickering, then Secretary of State of the U.S.[2]
The fort was rebuilt in 1800 and 1808 to mount six guns as part of thesecond system of U.S. fortifications.[5] In a report on the conditions of fortifications of the United States submitted to Congress by President Jefferson on January 6, 1809, the following is stated regarding Fort Pickering - "The fort andblock house, ... with a magazine under it, have been repaired and a new barrack erected."[7] Another report in December 1811 stated the fort was "an enclosed work of brick and sods, mounting six heavy guns, covered by a block house".[8]
Regular Army commanders of the fort (combined withFort Sewall in Marblehead) from 1800 to 1812 included Capt. Alexander D. Pope 1800–1802, a detachment of Capt. Nehemiah Freeman's company 1802–1803, no federal garrison 1804–1808, and Capt. Stephen Ranney 1809–1812.[9]
Massachusetts militia camps on Winter Island in the 1850s and 1860s includedCamp Sutton (1853, 1855),Camp Edmunds (1856),Camp Banks (1858), and Camp Gardner (1860s).[5][10]Camp Sutton existed in 1853 and 1855. The camp was named for general William Sutton and was occupied by the 2nd Division.Camp Edmunds existed in 1856. The camp was named for Major General B.F. Edmunds and was occupied by the 4th Brigade.Camp Banks existed in 1858. The camp was named for Major GeneralNathaniel P. Banks and was occupied by the 2nd Division.[11]
The fort received another military restoration in theWar of 1812.[2] In 1820 it had a capacity of 11 guns.[12] During the 19th century, the island was used primarily for fortification and in 1864 the City of Salem again ceded the island to the federal government in support of theCivil War efforts. Although the capacity remained at 11 guns, the area of the fort was increased, withearthworkparapets built outside the stone fort and gunembrasures added for improved protection. Themagazine was also increased in size.[12] To defend against land attack, the gorge at the rear of the fort was guarded by twocurtain walls and a wetmoat. The walls were part of abombproof shelter withloopholes for small arms. Facilities outside the fort included a guard house, hospital/commissary, barracks/mess hall, stable, sink, and well.[13] An armament report by Major Charles E. Blunt dated January 31, 1865 shows the fort had six 24-poundersmoothboreguns, three 32-pounderrifles, and two 24-pounder rifles.[14] It was also calledSalem Barracks in that war.[5] From May 1864 to June 1865 Fort Pickering was garrisoned successively by the 3rd and 17thUnattached Companies Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.[15]
In 1935 most of the land on Winter Island became the newly establishedCoast Guard Air Station Salem. The air station had a hangar and ramp forseaplanes. Aircraft from the station conducted anti-submarine patrols duringWorld War II and search and rescue missions until it was closed in 1971.[5]
The site was added to theNational Register of Historic Places in 1973. In 1994, the National Register designated the entire collection of cultural resources atWinter Island and Fort Pickering as the Winter Island Historic District and Archaeological District. Portions of the Civil War fort remain.[5]
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