Fort Steilacoom, WA

[Radar14]

Today, I was on the road and had the opportunity to stop in at Fort Steilacoom, which is located on the grounds of Western State Hospital in the State of Washington, north of Olympia. Not much of the original fort (1849-1868) remains, except for a row of beautifully restored quarters and a covered shed with two fine (albeit slightly anachronistic) M1857 12-pounder Napoleons. One of the pieces is said to be an 1862-cast Hooper, though the muzzle markings are illegible. The other, however, is still sharp: No. 247, cast in 1863, by Revere. My understanding is that these two 12-pounders were relocated to Fort Steilacoom from another park in Olympia, on loan.

Here are some photos from the day:

A beautiful pair of field guns.

Muzzle detail from the Revere gun--with the initials "T.J.R." for Thomas J. Rodman, Ordnance.

Nearby, the old Officers Row/quarters:

This looks like a salute gun--I have no idea if it is original. Feel free to chime in if you know.

It was a great little day trip between work sites; if you're in the area, I recommend stopping by.

 

[Belfoured]

Today, I was on the road and had the opportunity to stop in at Fort Steilacoom, which is located on the grounds of Western State Hospital in the State of Washington, north of Olympia. Not much of the original fort (1849-1868) remains, except for a row of beautifully restored quarters and a covered shed with two fine (albeit slightly anachronistic) M1857 12-pounder Napoleons. One of the pieces is said to be an 1862-cast Hooper, though the muzzle markings are illegible. The other, however, is still sharp: No. 247, cast in 1863, by Revere. My understanding is that these two 12-pounders were relocated to Fort Steilacoom from another park in Olympia, on loan.

Here are some photos from the day:

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A beautiful pair of field guns.


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Muzzle detail from the Revere gun--with the initials "T.J.R." for Thomas J. Rodman, Ordnance.

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Nearby, the old Officers Row/quarters:
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This looks like a salute gun--I have no idea if it is original. Feel free to chime in if you know.


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It was a great little day trip between work sites; if you're in the area, I recommend stopping by.

I agree. There are a few ACW-related sites around the State. The Pickett House off F Street in Bellingham is worth a stop if you're in town. It's where George Pickett lived when he was assigned to Fort Bellingham in the late 1850's (including the "Pig War" in the San Juans in 1859). When I've been there it's open by appointment.

 

[damYankee]

Great post Radar, we lived in Washington state for many years but never got a chance to see the fort at Steilacoom, your photos are great.
We lived in central Washington and went to Fort Simcoe many times, if you haven't been there it has a deep connection to the Civil War as it was established by Major Robert Selden Garnett of the 9th U.S. Infantry, Fort Simcoe was part of Colonel Wright's campaign during the Yakima Nation.

Garnett, a veteran of the Mexican War, resigned his commission when Virginia seceded, served under R.E. Lee and was killed at Corrick's Ford during the Cheat Mountain campaign, becoming the first Confederate General killed in action, his body was recovered by a Close friend who was a Union officer.
A Union Honor Guard escorted his remains to his family travelling through Confederate lines under a flag of truce, he was buried in Baltimore, then reinterred to Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, N.Y. next to his wife, who died while he was in Washington State.
He is one of two Confederate Generals buried there.

Robert S. Garnett (1819–1861) - Encyclopedia Virginia

Robert Selden Garnett was born December 16, 1819, on the family plantation Champlain (also known as Font Hill) in , Virginia. He was one of seven children born to Robert Selden Garnett Sr. and Olympia Charlotte DeGouges Garnett. Robert was a cousin of Richard Brooke Garnett, who also became a...

encyclopediavirginia.org

 

[Radar14]

I agree. There are a few ACW-related sites around the State. The Pickett House off F Street in Bellingham is worth a stop if you're in town. It's where George Pickett lived when he was assigned to Fort Bellingham in the late 1850's (including the "Pig War" in the San Juans in 1859). When I've been there it's open by appointment.

When I worked at Fort Townsend, we identified the foundations of many of the original buildings—that is to say, a raised house-shaped mound on the old O-Row, a remnant of a brick sidewalk, a hole where the old company barracks was, etc. It was about the same vintage, and similarly garrisoned during the Pig War, in sight of the San Juan's. Regrettably, it was a complete "non-site", except that I identified the same cluster of trees (now enormous) in a photo of the old post hospital, and the empty graves where the post cemetery was exhumed.
It is unusual to find such well-preserved site in this part of the PNW as Fort Steilacoom and the house you mention.

 

[Radar14]

A photo of Bennett H. Hill, who commanded the relatively new Company M, 1st U.S. Artillery, when the post was founded.

As an aside, whenever I ask my wife if I can have a "Civil War beard", I show her a photo of Bennett Hill—and she does not approve.

 

[DixieRifles]

A photo of Bennett H. Hill, who commanded the relatively new Company M, 1st U.S. Artillery, when the post was founded.

As an aside, whenever I ask my wife if I can have a "Civil War beard", I show her a photo of Bennett Hill—and she does not approve.

Where was he from?
Curious if he lived in Virginia with my HILL relatives.

 

[Belfoured]

When I worked at Fort Townsend, we identified the foundations of many of the original buildings—that is to say, a raised house-shaped mound on the old O-Row, a remnant of a brick sidewalk, a hole where the old company barracks was, etc. It was about the same vintage, and similarly garrisoned during the Pig War, in sight of the San Juan's. Regrettably, it was a complete "non-site", except that I identified the same cluster of trees (now enormous) in a photo of the old post hospital, and the empty graves where the post cemetery was exhumed.
It is unusual to find such well-preserved site in this part of the PNW as Fort Steilacoom and the house you mention.

Interesting - good information. It's not Civil War, but I always like walking around Fort Worden and those c. 1900 coastal artillery installations as part of the defense network to protect the Strait and Puget Sound. And the views from Washington Street are worth the visit to Port T as well.

 

[Radar14]

Where was he from?
Curious if he lived in Virginia with my HILL relatives.

My notes indicate he was from Washington, D.C. I struggle to keep them straight—there were two "__ H. Hill"s. Both artillery officers. This one didn't go South.

 

[Radar14]

Interesting - good information. It's not Civil War, but I always like walking around Fort Worden and those c. 1900 coastal artillery installations as part of the defense network to protect the Strait and Puget Sound. And the views from Washington Street are worth the visit to Port T as well.

Fort Worden and the others are certainly beautiful, and a bit later than ACW, for sure. That was my park for seven years. Forts Townsend and Steilacoom were active earlier, as well as Cape D on the Columbia and Fort Stevens. The old granite mounts for the Rodmans are still visible at Cape D (Fort Canby) and they've done some beautiful reconstruction of the earthwork fort and Rodman emplacements at Fort Stevens. Fort Vancouver is another absolutely stunning day trip.

 

[gc45]

Have been to all the places mentioned, some several times and very enjoyable they are with great views and scenery.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Neat, never heard of the place. And that oddball "salute gun" has me scratching my head.

 

[Trooper "D"]

A photo of Bennett H. Hill, who commanded the relatively new Company M, 1st U.S. Artillery, when the post was founded.

As an aside, whenever I ask my wife if I can have a "Civil War beard", I show her a photo of Bennett Hill—and she does not approve.

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Tell your wife I concur. Although facial hair is "in" these days. Event neck beards.