Camp Varnum, Coastal defense fort in Narragansett, United States.
Camp Varnum is a coastal defense fort on the Atlantic shoreline in Narragansett, Rhode Island, made up of concrete observation towers and several military buildings. The grounds sit directly on the water with open views across Narragansett Bay.
The camp was built in 1942 during World War II to guard the entrance to Narragansett Bay against possible naval attack. After the war ended, the site continued in use by the Rhode Island National Guard.
The site is still used by the Rhode Island Army National Guard for training, so visitors share the grounds with an active military presence. This gives the place a working, functional feel rather than that of a museum.
A visit requires advance reservations and a valid photo ID at the entrance. The terrain is uneven with stairs in some areas, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
Three of the observation towers were painted and shaped to look like ordinary New England wooden houses when seen from above. The goal was to fool enemy aircraft by hiding them in plain sight among the coastal buildings.
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