Historic Fort Wayne (Detroit)

The fort was built over the years 1841-47 as part of the Third-System of northern frontier fortifications, when tensions were high along the border with Canada. Fort Wayne was built on a military campsite that dated back to 1796. The new fort was named after Gen. Anthony Wayne, who gained fame in the Revolutionary War and later in campaigns against the Indians.

The fort is a four sided star-pattern, with walls of earthen ramparts covering vaulted brick tunnels that contain artillery ports. Artillery was also placed atop the walls. A dry moat surrounds the fort which is located on the Detroit River. This site was chosen because the river is only about a mile wide and it is at the apex of a bend which allows uninterrupted views up and down stream for several miles.

As of 1851, it was intended to be armed with twenty-three 24-pounder guns, twenty 18-pounder guns, sixteen 12-pounder guns and four 8" heavy seacoast howizters for a total of 63 guns.

It was built against a perceived British threat but as threat of war with Canada faded, the new fort grew in importance as the possibility of war with the southern states loomed.

Fort Wayne never saw a shot fired in anger. The peaceful location became a primary induction center for Michigan troops entering battle in every U.S. conflict from the Civil War to the Vietnam War. Among its other duties over the course of its 125-year use as an Army base, it served as an infantry training station, housed the Chaplin school for a few years, and was the primary procurement location for the vehicles and weapons manufactured in Detroit during World Wars I and II.

Much of the fort was ceded by the Department of the Army to the City of Detroit and parts have been restored to their original appearance. The fort was closed for many years but now seems to be open on weekends during the summer.

More information can be found at:
www.detroithistorical.org/aboutus/fortwayne.asp
www.savefortwayne.org/
www.detroityes.com/webisodes/2002/fortwayne/00fortwayne...