We thought the batteries down at Ft. Stevens on the Oregon coast were impressive but this place takes the cake! There is literally a city of batteries, not just ones that housed the big guns that ranged anywhere from 3 to 12 inches, but batteries for the mortars as well. Once again, for all the impressive defenses displayed, we never fired a weapon in defense from any of our west coastal locations! They did a lot of practicing though!
After the Korean War, Fort Worden was officially decommissioned in 1953. The state of WA purchased it in 1957 to use as a diagnostic treatment center for troubled youths. (the youths were housed in the barracks on the fort, not in the batteries;) It was acquired by the state parks in 1971 and opened as a state park in 1973.
I hope you can read the interpretive signs:
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| One can wander for hours inside these batteries in the dark if one wishes;) I mean pitch black dark;) |
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| this tiny building housed one of the spotlights that was used to light up targets on the water....... |
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| the light traveled on a track to the edge of the cliff when needed (Mike is standing where the spotlight would be) |
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| tunnels led from one battery to the next in some places on the point |
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| this poem is part of a meditative display on the grounds....... |
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| ...along with the "throne".......... |
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| .......and the "thinker" chair;) |
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| this place is now a huge playground.....great for hide and seek. this is another tunnel leading to lower batteries |
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| Fort Worden was decommissioned in 1953.....note how many stars on our flag at that time |
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| this building was used for......balloon craft |
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