6 Must-See Historic Forts In Massachusetts
Massachusetts holds six historic forts that shaped its coastal defense from the 1600s through World War II. Fort Warren on Georges Island opens to ferry passengers and tours. Fort Independence in Boston traces back to the 1630s as the oldest fortified military site in British North America. Fort Sewall in Marblehead helped save the USS Constitution from British capture in 1814. Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven fended off HMS Nimrod during the War of 1812. Each of these six forts now sits inside a public park or coastal recreation area.
Fort Warren, Georges Island, Boston
Further east from Boston on Georges Island is Fort Warren, an army stronghold built from the 1830s through the 1860s for harbor defense. Fort Warren saw significant use during the U.S. Civil War, the Spanish-American War in 1898, World War I, and World War II. The fort was used as a prisoner-of-war camp and a training ground. After World War II, the fort was deactivated in 1950 and was acquired by the Commonwealth in 1958.
The 39-acre fort is open to the public and is accessible by ferry. It features granite archways and provides visitors with wide views of the Boston skyline and Massachusetts Bay, similar to Fort Independence. Visitors to the island can also take a 45-minute tour of the fort and learn more about its history. Unlike Fort Independence, Georges Island has beaches and overlooks, making for a fine spot to go swimming, enjoy a picnic, and take a walk around the island.
Fort Independence, Boston
Just southeast of downtown Boston is Fort Independence, a historic military fort with a history dating back to the 1630s as the oldest fortified military site in British North America. The fort was abandoned by British soldiers during the Revolutionary War and was rebuilt under the orders of General George Washington. The fort was an active military installation until the end of World War II. It is also notable for its use of granite archways and granite casemates.
The fort is currently part of the state park on Castle Island, which was a true island until 1928, when it was connected via a causeway and landfill. The park is open year-round to visitors, and it offers free 30- to 45-minute tours running between Memorial Day weekend and Columbus Day weekend. Visitors to the fort are also treated to wide views of the Boston skyline, and it is a popular place to fly a kite, go on a walk, and picnic on site.
Fort Sewall, Marblehead
About a 4.5 to 5.5 mile drive east of Salem is Fort Sewall, a fort built in 1644 on the northeastern part of the Marblehead Peninsula. The fort saw significant action during the War of 1812 and helped save the USS Constitution from being captured by British forces in 1814. The fort was decommissioned in the late 1800s and was turned over to the town of Marblehead in 1922. The fort is currently an open park that welcomes residents and tourists with its open fields and its abandoned bunkers and underground rooms, which were used to detain prisoners. It also provides relaxing views of the town on the adjacent peninsula and the harbor.
Fort Lee, Salem
Within the eastern tip of Salem is Fort Lee, a former Revolutionary War fort surrounded by tall forests. The fort was originally built in 1776 during the war and was reactivated for the War of 1812 and the U.S. Civil War. The fort did not see any action during the Revolutionary War, but it acted as a deterrent against the British. By 1927, the fort was given to the city of Salem and has remained unaltered. In 2025, the city announced it is creating a preservation management group to preserve the fort, as it had become covered in forest growth and had been slowly eroding. The plan is to showcase and promote the fort to the public and have it open for tours. When visiting the fort, people can hike and walk the 1.2-mile easygoing trail that is open year-round, and see largely intact earthwork forts.
Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven
In the southern region of the state is Fort Phoenix, a former Revolutionary War fort near the entrance of the New Bedford-Fairhaven Harbor. The fort was built in 1775 without a name, but was attacked and destroyed by British forces when they raided the harbor. In 1784, the fort was named Fort Phoenix and was rebuilt in 1798 and 1808. Fort Phoenix saw significant action during the War of 1812, as it fended off HMS Nimrod.
Visitors to the fort are treated to a blend of history and natural beauty from the adjacent beach. The grassy parks serve as a wonderful place to enjoy a group picnic, and Buzzards Bay is a place to view scallops, oysters, and sea snails while also taking in the views of the water, making it a popular place for nature photographers and enthusiasts. Within the fort, people can still see well-preserved cannons and brick walls from the fort's heyday.
Fort Pickering, Salem
About a 0.6-mile drive from Fort Lee is Fort Pickering, a 17th-century fort situated on Winter Island. The fort was built in 1643, with a military presence throughout its time. The fort played a pivotal role for Patriot forces during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the U.S. Civil War. The fort has 15-foot-high granite walls, and earthen mounds enhance the defensive structure. In the 1930s, the U.S. Coast Guard built a search and rescue base, which was in service until 1968.
In 1972, the city of Salem took control of the fort and made it a city park named Winter Island Marine Park. Visitors to the park are treated to coastal views of Salem Harbor and the fort's historic past. Nearby is Fort Pickering Lighthouse, which was built in 1871 to safely direct ships into the adjacent harbor. The site is currently used as a camping ground and recreation area. Visitors to the park can also go on nature walks and hikes, and observe wildlife.
Historical Massachusetts Forts And Their Unique History
These ancient forts tell the stories of the early years of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, their pivotal roles in early American wars in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the coastal and scenic nature that surrounds these structures today. Fort Pickering and Fort Phoenix open onto coastal scenery, Fort Warren and Fort Independence add some unique flavors to the history of the city of Boston, and Fort Lee provides visitors with a relaxing visit in its tall forest. These six forts are a rewarding stop for anyone curious about the role Massachusetts coastal defenses played in shaping the United States.
