Fort Rodman

Fort Rodman is a military fortification in New Bedford featuring tiered stone structures designed to hold numerous cannons across multiple levels for defense of the harbor. The entire complex includes barracks, ammunition storage, and gun emplacements arranged throughout a sprawling waterfront site.

The fort was built in 1857 as part of the United States Third System of fortifications and renamed in 1898 to honor a military officer. It served strategic purposes through several historical periods before being preserved as a historic site.

The fort served as a symbol of coastal defense and shaped how the community understood its role in protecting American harbors during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, visitors can see how military architecture became part of the local landscape and identity.

The grounds are expansive and open for self-guided exploration, though some interior areas of the fort require scheduled tours to visit. Wear comfortable shoes since walking covers uneven terrain and multiple levels throughout the site.

Clarks Point Light, a lighthouse built into the fort structure, sat dormant for over a century until its navigation beacon was restored to service in 2001. This reactivated light remains one of the few active navigation aids operating within a historic military complex.

Location: New Bedford

GPS coordinates: 41.59306,-70.90139

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04