Fort Terry (Southold, New York, New York)

Southold, New York · New York · Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II

Quick BriefFort Terry, named for Major General Alfred Terry, began construction in 1897 under the Endicott Program as part of the Harbor Defenses of Long Island Sound. Located on Plum Island just off Orient Point, New York, this coastal fortification commanded a strategic position overlooking the Atlantic entrance to Long Island Sound. The fort was used intermittently through the end of World War II. In 1952, it became a military animal and biological warfare research facility, moving to civilian control in 1954 as the Plum Island Animal Disease Center.

Endicott SystemCoastal defense

History & Significance

Fort Terry began construction in 1897 under the Endicott Program as part of the Harbor Defenses of Long Island Sound, one of several coastal forts commissioned to defend vital northeastern ports. In 1898, before batteries were completed, the Spanish-American War broke out; fearing Spanish bombardment of the east coast, weapons were hastily purchased from the United Kingdom and mounted.

The 133rd Company, Coast Artillery Corps, organized in 1907, was initially manned the fort and was redesignated the 3d Company in 1916, continuing service throughout World War I. By 1914 the fort had 11 gun batteries and facilities to control an underwater minefield. Following U.S. entry into World War I in April 1917, coast artillery weapons were deployed to France, with stateside forts reduced to minimum garrisons.

During World War II, the post served as a training facility, supply depot, and lookout for German U-boats and planes. In 1948, the fort was declared surplus and disarmed; beginning April 15, 1952, it served as a U.S. Army Chemical Corps facility. Fort Terry was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.