- Joined
- Jun 21, 2012
- Location
- Louisville, KY
Fort Taber, later known as Fort Rodman, is a Third System granite fortification located near New Bedford, Massachusetts and the mouth of the Acushnet River. The three tiered fort which may look similar to Fort Gorges in Maine was one of a group of forts begun in the time period to protect the New England coast.
Construction of the fort began in late 1857/early 1858 and progressed as quickly as granite could be shipped to the site. The fort was made up of two casemated tiers with a Barrbette tier on top. At the outbreak of the Civil War the fort was not completed enough to be garrisoned or armed. With the fear of Confederate raiders along this portion of the coast a temporary earthwork fortification was built in front of the partially completed fort. This earthwork fort was named Fort Taber after the city mayor Isaac Taber and was armed while the granite fort could be completed.
In 1863 the fort was completed to the point that it could be used and the earthworks were abandoned and destroyed. The garrison and its artillery were then moved to the granite fortification which had not been officially named at that point. This fort also became known as Fort Taber. The fort would remain in use throughout the end of the war however it would see no action during the Civil War.
Following the war construction on the fort continued through 1871 when work was suspended. During this time a lighthouse and quarters were built on the fort. Before the turn of the century the military reservation was named Fort Rodman after local William Rodman who served as a Lt Colonel in the Union Army and was killed during the Siege of Port Hudson in 1863. Throughout the early 1900s up through World War II the site was built up with new Endicott period fortifications as well as other buildings. However in the years following WWII the site was declared surplus and thus ended its military use.
Today the site is known as Fort Taber City Park which is open to the public. The site plays host to many reenactments from different periods of military history. The Third System fort itself is not open to the public on a regular basis however the park does house the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Museum and visitors are able to tour other batteries and fortifications that came after the original fort.
Be sure to check out all other "forgotten forts" in the Forgotten Forts Series Index (Link Below)
http://www.civilwartalk.com/threads/forgotten-forts-series-index.80901/
Construction of the fort began in late 1857/early 1858 and progressed as quickly as granite could be shipped to the site. The fort was made up of two casemated tiers with a Barrbette tier on top. At the outbreak of the Civil War the fort was not completed enough to be garrisoned or armed. With the fear of Confederate raiders along this portion of the coast a temporary earthwork fortification was built in front of the partially completed fort. This earthwork fort was named Fort Taber after the city mayor Isaac Taber and was armed while the granite fort could be completed.
In 1863 the fort was completed to the point that it could be used and the earthworks were abandoned and destroyed. The garrison and its artillery were then moved to the granite fortification which had not been officially named at that point. This fort also became known as Fort Taber. The fort would remain in use throughout the end of the war however it would see no action during the Civil War.
Following the war construction on the fort continued through 1871 when work was suspended. During this time a lighthouse and quarters were built on the fort. Before the turn of the century the military reservation was named Fort Rodman after local William Rodman who served as a Lt Colonel in the Union Army and was killed during the Siege of Port Hudson in 1863. Throughout the early 1900s up through World War II the site was built up with new Endicott period fortifications as well as other buildings. However in the years following WWII the site was declared surplus and thus ended its military use.
Today the site is known as Fort Taber City Park which is open to the public. The site plays host to many reenactments from different periods of military history. The Third System fort itself is not open to the public on a regular basis however the park does house the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Museum and visitors are able to tour other batteries and fortifications that came after the original fort.
Be sure to check out all other "forgotten forts" in the Forgotten Forts Series Index (Link Below)
http://www.civilwartalk.com/threads/forgotten-forts-series-index.80901/