Fort Boreman, Civil War fortification on hilltop near Parkersburg, United States
Fort Boreman is a Civil War fortification built on a hilltop overlooking where the Little Kanawha River meets the Ohio River in Wood County, West Virginia. The site spans approximately 12 acres and retains much of its original earthwork structure from the 1860s.
The fort was built in 1863 by Company A of the 11th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment to guard the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad against Confederate forces. Its location at a strategic position made it an important defensive outpost during the war years.
The fort takes its name from Arthur I. Boreman, West Virginia's first governor, honoring the state's political leadership during the Civil War era. This naming reflects how local figures shaped the region's identity at a critical moment in American history.
Fort Boreman Park is accessible from dawn until dusk via the Marrtown Road exit off US 50, allowing visitors to explore the grounds during daylight hours. Two shelters are available for picnics and group gatherings throughout the site.
The four-foot deep (1.2 m) trenches spiral in a zigzag pattern around the hilltop, showing how Civil War soldiers designed defensive lines. This trench layout allowed defenders to shoot from multiple angles while staying protected from enemy fire.
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