Fort Warren

Fort Warren is a military installation on Georges Island in Boston Harbor, built with gray granite blocks forming a five-sided outline around the entire island. The walls enclose a central parade ground, barracks rooms, and storage chambers, with pointed bastions jutting into the harbor waters at each corner.

Construction began in 1833 following plans by Colonel Sylvanus Thayer and finished in 1861, just before the Civil War started. During the war years, the site held Confederate officers as prisoners, then served coastal defense roles through both World Wars.

The granite walls rise from the island shore with entry bastion facing south, where visitors step into dim corridors leading toward gun emplacements. Tourists often walk the parade ground inside the fort, then climb stone stairs to the ramparts overlooking the harbor.

Ferry boats from Long Wharf in downtown Boston run regularly to the island, with the crossing taking around 45 minutes. Rangers lead walking tours through the casemates, and visitors should wear sturdy shoes for the uneven stone floors.

Soldiers stationed here composed the song John Brown's Body, whose melody was later used for the Battle Hymn of the Republic. The underground rooms stored torpedoes and ammunition for coastal defense guns during both World Wars.

Location: Boston

Website: https://nps.gov/places/georges-island.htm

GPS coordinates: 42.32028,-70.92778

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29