Monday, September 16, 2013

Historic Fort Wayne

Built in a four-pointed-star shape in 1845, Fort Wayne stands across the river from Canada. It was constructed to protect Detroit from attack if need be. Luckily, a treaty was signed with Britain even before any cannon were procured. The new Fort was re-commissioned as an infantry garrison, but did not see any troops until the outbreak of the Civil War, when the first Michigan soldiers reported for duty. 

Because of new relationship with the Britain and later Canada, 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. conflicts from the Civil War to Vietnam. Among 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 both World Wars. Also during WWII the Fort housed prisoners of war from Italy.

The houses in "Officer's Row."
Inside one of the houses.
Outside of the fort

Exploring the fort

Mom and I went to go watch the battle, but instead I was kindly invited to play some parlor games with some of the members of the 21st Michigan in one of the officer's homes. The games were quite fun and it was nice to be a bit farther away from the cannons. They shook the house we were in!

The smoke and horror of war outside... contrast to the smiles and laughter inside. (Picture borrowed from Ken G.)

If only our brothers and fathers weren't off fighting this dreadful war and they could join in our merriment... We met Dr. Richard Gatling who gave an explanation of his new invention of a gun with revolving barrels which is supposed to quicken the end of the war. I found something that I think will work even better...

This is a Sherman, if you were wondering.  :)


  1. Thanks for sharing that. I love the Victorian interiors!

    1. Thank you for reading and commenting! :) They are lovely, aren't they?


  2. Lots of good history and a neat place to explore. I did not know there were N.A. burial mounds there.