Fort H. G. Wright, New York — History & Visitor Guide

Fort H. G. Wright (Fishers Island, Southold, New York)

Fishers Island, Southold · New York · World War I, World War II

Quick BriefThe federal government purchased 216 acres at Fishers Island's western tip in April 1898 and named the fort on 4 April 1900 in honor of Major General Horatio G. Wright, a Civil War general and former Army Chief Engineer. Unlike most coastal defenses during peacetime, the fort was provided with a garrison rather than a caretaking detachment throughout its active service between 1898 and 1946. The fort served as a guardian at the entrance to Long Island Sound, protecting the eastern approaches to New York City and the Connecticut seaports of Bridgeport, New Haven, and New London.

Endicott SystemCoastal defenseOpen to visitors

History & Significance

Fort H. G. Wright was first developed during the Endicott Program of America's coastal fortifications and was active in World War I and World War II. No less than twenty-six powerful gun and mortar batteries were built in the late 1890s and early 1900s to cover the Race and the lesser channels between Long Island and Block Island Sounds.

Construction began in 1898 with three disappearing gun batteries—Butterfield, Barlow, and Dutton—all accepted for service on 7 March 1901, expanded to include Battery Clinton, a 12-inch mortar battery completed in 1902. Strategically located at the edge of the Race, the main entrance into Long Island Sound, Fort H.G. Wright became the headquarters of the Coast Defenses of Long Island Sound in 1910.

During World War I, four 6-inch guns from Batteries Hamilton and Marcy were removed and sent to France in 1917, though none completed training in time to see action before the Armistice. During World War II, the fort remained operational but gradually lost tactical importance.

Two 16-inch gun batteries built at Camp Hero in Montauk rendered all other heavy guns in the area obsolete. After World War II, the fort was deactivated in 1947 and sold in 1958.

Key Facts

StateNew York

LocationFishers Island, Southold

Established1898

Decommissioned1947

War / eraWorld War I, World War II

Current statusPrivate property

Coordinates41.25361111, -72.03027778

Map

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

Turn-of-the-century coastal artillery batteries with mortars and multi-caliber gun emplacements
Concrete and earthwork fortifications from the 1898–1906 construction period
Historic role in protecting Long Island Sound's eastern entrance during two World Wars
Structures remain partially visible on private Fishers Island property

Best time to visitSpring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer mild temperatures and clear visibility for viewing the fort's structural features on Long Island Sound.

Getting thereThe nearest airport is GON (Groton New London Airport), approximately 8.6 km away; Southold is the nearest mainland city with ferry or water access to Fishers Island.

From the nearest major airportRhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD)🚗 60 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 2 hr 14 min drive

Fort H. G. Wright (Fishers Island, Southold, New York)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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