Fort DuPont, Delaware — History & Visitor Guide

Fort DuPont (Delaware City, Delaware)

Delaware City · Delaware · Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II

Quick BriefBuilt from 1863 to 1864 on the property of 1st Lt. Clement Reeves of the 5th Delaware Volunteer Infantry, this coastal defense post began as a Ten Gun Battery before being officially designated Fort DuPont on July 22, 1899, named in honor of Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont. Along with Fort Delaware and Fort Mott, it defended the Delaware River and approach to Philadelphia from 1900 through 1942.

Civil WarEndicott SystemCoastal defenseOpen to visitors

History & Significance

The Ten Gun Battery was constructed from 1863 to 1864 and garrisoned by artillerists from Captain John Jay Young's Independent Battery G, also called the Pittsburgh Heavy Artillery. During the Spanish-American War and following years, major construction upgraded the three-fort defense complex, with Endicott Era batteries mounting long-range rifles, mortars, and rapid-fire guns, including Batteries Read and Gibson (8- and 12-inch rifled guns), Batteries Rodney and Best (16-inch mortars), and Batteries Elder and Ritchie (3- and 5-inch rapid-fire guns).

Fort DuPont's permanent structures—residences, schools, barracks, and support buildings—were primarily completed by 1915, with orderly roads and ancillary buildings defining the military landscape. After World War I, when weaponry became obsolete, the fort shifted primarily to training operations.

In May 1944, a prisoner-of-war camp was established using temporary buildings, housing roughly 3,000 German POWs who included crew members of the submarine U-858. Following the war, the post reopened in 1948 as the Governor Bacon Health Center, with a large portion designated as Fort DuPont State Park in 1992. The site was officially designated the Fort DuPont Historic District in 1999 after being listed in the National Register of Historic Places, comprising Fort DuPont State Park and the Governor Bacon Health Center.

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

Civil War-era coastal defense fortification on the Delaware River
75+ historic buildings spanning 1863–1945, including Civil War batteries and Endicott-era artillery emplacements
Original cannons and military structures demonstrate evolving defense technology
WWII-era prisoner-of-war camp facilities and mobilization station structures
Scenic riverside location protecting approaches to Philadelphia

Best time to visitSpring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer pleasant temperatures for exploring the extensive grounds; summers can be humid and hot, while winters are cold and damp.

Getting thereNearest airport is Wilmington Airport (ILG), about 12 km from Fort DuPont State Park in Delaware City.

From the nearest major airportPhiladelphia International Airport (PHL)🚗 37 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 56 min drive

Fort DuPont (Delaware City, Delaware)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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