Historic fort delaware pea patch island, delaware river. The islands undeveloped northern end boasts the largest mixed rookery of herons and egrets on the east coast of the u. Bidders and interested parties shall meet at the dnrec office located at 45 clinton street, delaware city, delaware and they will be ferried to the island. Winter programs listed on our upcoming events calendar take place at alternate offsite locations until ferry service resumes in april. A jitney provides transport from the island dock to the granite and brick fortress. Fort delaware 18471944 a third system coastal masonry fort on pea patch island, new castle county, delaware. Fort delaware state park delaware city 2020 all you need.
At one point in mid1863, the crowded prison population of 12,000 included all captured at gettysburg. Restaurants near fort delaware state park, delaware city. Fort delaware, the union fortress dating back to 1859, once housed confederate. Fort delaware on pea patch island picture of fort delaware state. Paranormal investigations at fort delaware prove that it is. Fort delaware, situated on pea patch island in the delaware river, was a harbor defense facility built to protect the ports of wilmington, delaware and philadelphia, pennsylvania. Pea patch island, as it was known to the locals, was a private hunting ground for dr. Facebook fort delaware usually, on these more mild tours, the horrifying conditions of the fort delaware prison are downplayed a bit, for the crowds. From may through october, visitors to fort delaware experience authentic civilian and military civil war. Tour detail fort delaware state park, delaware city.
The idea of modeling pea patch island goes back to the days of the founders of the fort delaware society. So this is fort delaware, built back in the 1800s and used as a prison and to defend the delaware river. Originally built to protect wilmington and philadelphia, it became infamous during the civil war as a jail for confederate pows. Private boats are not permitted to dock on the island.
Fort delaware state park, delaware find information. Established on the site of previous fortifications in 1847 and construction continued until 1859. During the american civil war, the union used fort delaware as a prison for confederate prisoners of war, political prisoners, federal convicts, and privateer officers. A mandatory prebid meeting will be held on tuesday, october 29, 2019 at 1. In 1794, the french military engineer pierre charles lenfant surveyed the island as an ideal location for a river defense fort. Pea patch island, delaware river, new castle county, delaware. Fort delaware, delaware city, delaware legends of america.
Smaller groups than the paranormal adventures, and you investigate more areas of the fort. The fort played an important role during the civil war when the facility served as the largest prisoner of war camp in the north. Delaware city is a historic waterfront community that has rich history and great charm. Paranormal investigations october 3, 4 october 10, 11 october 17. The fort was a confederate prison during the civil war and in four years housed nearly 33,000 prisoners. Upon entering the visitors center at fort delaware state park, the modern visitor encounters a very large scale model layout of pea patch island as it appeared in 1864. Fort delaware was a hospitalprisoner fort used during the american civil war. Sep 21, 2018 more than 30,000 confederate troops would eventually be sent to pea patch island. Jul 19, 20 fort delaware pea patch island kevinp411. Just a short boatride across the delaware river on pea patch island is historic fort delaware, a union fortress dating back to 1859. This film features rare color 16mm footage from fort delaware on pea patch island during the winter of 19411942. Delaware city is a city in new castle county, delaware, united states.
Paranormal investigations at fort delaware prove that it. Tour park detail fort delaware state park, delaware. Fort delaware, delaware city, delaware page 2 legends of. Visitors will get a taste of the paranormal investigative experience with the help of the diamond state ghost. Experience living history at fort delaware state parks. Pea patch island is a small island, approximately 1 mi 1. The idea of modeling pea patch island goes back to the. Fort delaware is located on pea patch island in delaware and is considered to be a haunted prison. Fort delaware to present program on the heronry on pea. Discover fort delaware, delaware with the help of your friends. A constant theme in the forts history, represented by the sea wall, has been the need to exclude the tide from pea patch island and to adequately drain the facilities thereon. It is a small port town on the eastern terminus of the chesapeake and delaware canal and is the location of the ferry to fort delaware on pea patch island.
The post is well known for its use prison camp during the civil war, housing more than 12,000 confederate prisoners at one time. Check out uaa fort delaware, pea patch island its one of the millions of unique, usergenerated 3d experiences created on roblox. Located in the delaware river, just one mile from delaware city, access to pea patch island and fort delaware is by ferry only. Visitors take a halfmile ferry ride from delaware city to pea patch island. Pea patch heronry is carefully monitored each year to determine the success of the nearly 3,000 nesting herons, egrets, and ibises. Fort delaware state park is a 288acre 117 ha delaware state park on pea patch island in new castle county, delaware, in the united states. Jul 01, 2015 fort delaware state park, located on pea patch island, was part of a chain of three forts that defended philadelphia for well over 100 years. Fort delaware state park delaware city 2020 all you. Fort delaware is built on pea patch island by the u. Civil war by federal troops, it remained garrisoned until 1870 when the fort was deactivated. Oct 02, 2011 this film features rare color 16mm footage from fort delaware on pea patch island during the winter of 19411942. University of delaware, center for historic architecture and design, 1999.
Unsanitary conditions of the prisoner of war camp, in part stemming. Visitors will be offered a fascinating and unique look at what life was like at fort delaware during the 1860s, including prisoners being processed, mail call and firing demonstrations of various 19th century weapons. Tickets now on sale for paranormal adventures at fort delaware. Fort delaware was built between 1846 and 1860 and served as a pow camp for.
The state of delaware deeded pea patch island, located in the delaware river between delaware and new jersey, to the u. Visitors can take the night ferry from delaware city to pea patch island where fort delaware is located to participate in a three. The ferry will not operate during thunderlighting events, or during high winds. The fort is located in the middle of the delaware river and a ferry takes you tofrom delaware city out to the island also know as pea patch island. Tour detail fort delaware state park, delaware city ferry. Fort delaware, delaware city, delaware page 2 legends. Fort delaware state park delaware city 2020 all you need to. Fort delaware, pea patch island, delaware city, new castle county. Fort delaware, the union fortress dating back to 1859, once housed confederate prisoners of war. Henry gale which sits in the delaware river, between delaware city, delaware and fort mott, new jersey. It was originally built to protect the ports of wilmington and philadelphia. Fort delaware pea patch island fort delaware state park. A constant theme in the fort s history, represented by the sea wall, has been the need to exclude the tide from pea patch island and to adequately drain the facilities thereon.
Pea patch island is just like a summer home to nine different species of herons, ibis in the u. This particular structure is built in a pentagonal manner and reflects that of a military structure. Custom house 200 chestnut street philadelphia, pa 19106. It was mainly used as a defense fort during the war of 1812, and then it became a prisoner of war fort during the early stages of the american civil war. An old civil war fort and prison in the middle of the delaware river on an island.
Fort delaware state park, located on pea patch island, was part of a chain of three forts that defended philadelphia for well over 100 years. At one point in mid1863, the crowded prison population of. It took almost more than ten years to complete the construction. First garrisoned in 1861 at the beginning of the u. Visitors take a 12 mile ferry ride from delaware city to pea patch island. The first fortifications were built at the end of the war of 1812, and the bulk of the present fort was built before the civil war. Sep 19, 2016 fort delaware is located on pea patch island and is a frequent spot for school field trips and historic tours. Paranormal investigations october 3, 4 october 10, 11. Fort delaware is located on pea patch island and is a frequent spot for school field trips and historic tours. Pea patch island improvements at fort delaware state park.
Originally built to protect the ports of wilmington and philadelphia, this fort once housed confederate prisoners of war. Three of uncle john thomas brothers, including my 2xgreat grandfather, were killed while defending their homes. The ticket office and ferry dock are located at 45 clinton street in delaware city. Fort delaware lies on pea patch island in the delaware river and can only be accessed by ferry. A fortress was built on pea patch island by the united states army in 1815, near the conclusion of the war of 1812, to protect the harbors of wilmington, delaware and philadelphia, pennsylvania.
Fort delaware, confederate hellhole, delaware city, delaware. The wet peas sprouted and grew, catching sand and silt, eventually transforming the bar into an island. Civil war living history fort delaware, the union fortress dating back to 1859, once housed confederate prisoners of war. Fort delaware, pea patch island, delaware city, new castle. Fort delaware state park is a coastal fortification which was used as a civil war prison. More than 30,000 confederate troops would eventually be sent to pea patch island. The forts ferry crossing links historic civil war fort delaware on pea patch island with fort mott and delaware city. Visitors can take the night ferry from delaware city to pea patch island where fort delaware is located to participate in a threehour recreational paranormal. Pea patch island in 1998 showing fort delaware pea patch island is a small island, approximately 1 mi 1.
Here, costumed interpreters take you back to the summer of. Situated on pea patch island, a 10minute passenger ferry ride from delaware city, fort delaware is a majestic civil warera masonry fort. The staff at fort delaware state park, located on pea patch island, invites the public to join a special program featuring the heronry, the care and treatment of pea patch heronry, at 2. Fort delaware is closed for the season and will reopen on april 25, 2020. Fort delaware is also known for its ghostly activity and paranormal tours are offered in the fall. Legend has it that pea patch island was formed when a cargo of peas sank in the shallows of the delaware river just downstream of new castle, delaware, a riverbank settlement colonized by the dutch in 1651.
The state of delaware deeded pea patch island, located in the delaware river between delaware and new jersey, to. Fort delaware stands on pea patch island in the delaware river. Fort delaware to present program on the heronry on pea patch. My 3xgreat uncle, john thomas conn, a confederate soldier from georgia, was held as a prisoner of war here in 1863, during abraham lincolns war to prevent southern independence. It is a low, marshy island, located in new castle county, facing delaware city on the delaware shore, and finns point on the new jersey shore. History lovers can enjoy an exciting day in the 19th century when they take roundtrip boat excursions to these military sites on the delaware river. Delaware birding trail, fort delaware state park, pea. Groups will be transported from the delaware city dock, located ten minutes from rt.