Battery Kemble Park, Civil War defensive site in The Palisades, Washington, D.C.
Battery Kemble Park is a Civil War fortification site with earthen ramparts positioned on a hilltop 387 feet above the Potomac River. The site sits within dense forest and is crossed by Maddox Branch, a small stream.
The Union Army built this defensive position in autumn 1861 and installed two 100-pound Parrott rifles to protect Chain Bridge and Aqueduct Bridge. The fortification was part of a larger defensive line surrounding Washington, D.C.
This site forms part of the Fort Circle Parks system and preserves Civil War military structures within a green space that serves the local community. Residents and visitors use the grounds as a place to connect with both history and nature.
The park is accessible from the northwest side via Chain Bridge Road, where a small parking area serves visitors. Sturdy footwear is important since the trails are hilly and can become slippery when wet.
During winter months, the steep hillsides become natural slopes for sledding and cross-country skiing. This seasonal use shows how residents have repurposed the Civil War site for modern recreation.
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