Fort Purcell, Colonial fort in Pockwood Pond, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Fort Purcell is a fortified structure standing above Baugher's Bay with stone walls bearing marks of different construction phases visible in their architectural features and materials. The visible remains show how the site developed through successive building campaigns across different eras.
Dutch settlers constructed the initial earthen fortification in the early 1600s, which eventually transformed into a British military installation during the colonial expansion. The site evolved from a basic defensive structure into an established garrison position that endured through multiple centuries.
Inscriptions carved by garrison members from the Seven Years' War era remain visible on the stone walls, offering a direct connection to the soldiers who once lived and worked here. These personal marks reveal how individuals experienced colonial military life in this remote outpost.
The fort sits on private property near Road Town and requires permission from landowners before visiting the site. It helps to inquire locally and approach with consideration for residents who maintain the surrounding area.
Grazing livestock now occupies the grounds where soldiers once drilled, creating an unlikely blend of colonial fort and working farmland. This peaceful current use masks the original purpose as a control mechanism for enslaved populations.
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