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All the United States Rhode Island Jamestown Fort Wetherill

Fort Wetherill

Abandoned Coast Artillery fort now serves as a graffiti canvas and sightseeing vantage point.

Jamestown, Rhode Island

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adumont72
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the entrance to the fort   amber dumont
overlooking the cliff behind the fort   amber dumont
1921 map of Fort Weatherill   Wikicommons
the overgrown tunnel leading from the fort to the cliffs.   amber dumont
view from the top   amber dumont
graffiti on the floor   amber dumont
more graffiti   amber dumont
cliffs behind the fort  
  BZEWE97 / Atlas Obscura User
  BZEWE97 / Atlas Obscura User
Main gun line 1970s   Unknown
WWII Barracks shortly before demolition in 1972   Unknown
Battery Crittenden   J Malcolm / Atlas Obscura User
Battery Varnum 1970s   Unknown
Barracks foundations 1970s   Unknown
Battery Wheaton before fill   Unknown
Interior of WWII barracks   Unknown
Aerial overview of the fort by the ocean   CruFro / Atlas Obscura User
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Inside Fort Wetherill   jesshartleylowe / Atlas Obscura User
Old Window at Fort Wetherill   jesshartleylowe / Atlas Obscura User
uploading for my dad! taken 06/2007!  
  adriannezee / Atlas Obscura User
uploading for my dad! taken 06/2007!  
uploading for my dad! taken 06/2007!  
uploading for my dad! taken 06/2007!  
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About

Overlooking the entrance to Narragansett Bay, Fort Wetherill was the perfect vantage point during the Revolutionary War. Formerly called Dumpling Rock, the fort was eventually named after Captain Alexander Macomb Wetherill, a Jamestown native who was killed in action during the Battle of San Juan Hill. Construction on the concrete bunkers started in 1898 and was completed by 1905.

After the threat of WWII had passed, the U.S. military ceased operations here. Once a heavily armed and one of the best lines of defense for the coast of New England, the site remained abandoned for a quarter of a century.

In 1972, the State of Rhode Island acquired the fort and reconfigured the site to support public use as a state park. Recreational uses include hiking trails along the coast, viewing of special events like firework displays and boat shows, and is a popular site for scuba diving.

One of the less mainstream adventures the area offers is exploring the ruins of the abandoned fort. A shell of its former glory overgrown with vegetation and covered in graffiti, the tunnels, and concrete walls remain, with holes in the structures and the ground where cannons and 12-inch guns used to line extensive batteries. Remains of tram tracks trail off into the brush, reminiscent of a submarine mining operation during the world wars, and gun emplacements sit empty except for their colorful new artwork by local taggers.

While many of the areas are fenced off, it seems to be mostly for show, as paths lead to holes in the fence that rarely see repair. The park is popular and crowded in the summer due to all of the water-related events, but in the off-season, one can indulge in exploration practically undisturbed. The interior of the Fort is currently off-limits to the public. 

Related Tags

Abandoned Graffiti Water Architectural Oddities Ruins American Revolution Architecture Military

Know Before You Go

Take Interstate Rte. 95 South, to Rte. 4 South, to Rte.1 South, to Rte. 138 East, to Canonicus Avenue, to Walcott Avenue, to Fort Wetherill Road.

Community Contributors

Added By

adumont72

Edited By

SummerSkye10, e1savage, J Malcolm, Rachel...

  • SummerSkye10
  • e1savage
  • J Malcolm
  • Rachel
  • ickaimp
  • CruFro
  • missingfilm
  • TheKopasClan
  • jesshartleylowe
  • adriannezee
  • benson24
  • BZEWE97

Published

April 12, 2012

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  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wetherill
  • http://www.yelp.com/biz/fort-wetherill-state-park-jamestown
  • http://www.riparks.com/Locations/LocationFortWetherill.html
Fort Wetherill
Fort Wetherill Road
Jamestown, Rhode Island, 02835
United States
41.480071, -71.361794
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